Chih-Ting “Tim” Lai
Leveraging Real-World Evidence and Patient Preference to Advance Major Depressive Disorder Treatments
Abstract
Many patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) need additional treatment when their initial therapy doesn’t fully relieve their symptoms. However, there is limited evidence guiding which subsequent treatment strategies work best. The lack of evidence makes it challenging for clinical practitioners to tailor treatments to meet individual patient needs and improve health outcomes. Furthermore, residual depression symptoms worsen over time if left untreated, highlighting the necessity of identifying patients at risk of treatment resistance that require additional treatment early on. In this proposed study, I aim to evaluate the effectiveness and patient preferences of different follow-up treatment strategies, while also developing a predictive tool to help identify those at higher risk of first-line treatment resistance. The results will help healthcare providers and policymakers to design more patient-centered, evidence-based plans for MDD treatments beyond first-line options.
PhF awardees (from left) Surachat Ngorsuraches and Tim Lai
I am truly excited and grateful to receive this recognition. The PhRMA Foundation award enables me to focus entirely on my dissertation research, where I aim to generate meaningful, evidence-based insights that prioritize patient needs.
