When I first started exploring UX design, I wasn’t sure how much of my clinical trials background would carry over. On paper, they seem worlds apart — one focused on protocols, regulatory requirements, and data integrity; the other, on creativity, interaction, and human-centred design.

But as I deepen my skills in UX while continuing to work in oncology clinical trials, I’m realising just how many parallels there actually are — and also, where I’ve had to completely shift my mindset.

Here’s what does transfer (surprisingly well), and what I’m learning along the way.

✅ What Transfers

While UX is a new discipline for me, my work in clinical trials has already equipped me with a strong foundation in research, structure, and human-focused thinking.

1. Research Thinking & Documentation

In clinical trials, I work within strict protocols and maintain version-controlled documents across global teams. These habits carry directly into my UX work — I approach user research methodically, document insights clearly, and prioritise structured communication.

UX relies on clarity, and my clinical research background has trained me to deliver just that.

2. Stakeholder Management

In my current role, I coordinate with study managers, CRAs, vendors, and site staff — each with their own priorities and communication styles. That mirrors what I’m learning in UX, where balancing user needs with developer and business goals is essential.

Being able to speak multiple “languages” is a skill I use daily — both in trials and design.

3. Attention to Detail

Whether I’m reviewing training compliance, updating TMF metrics, or running reports, accuracy matters. This translates into my design work, especially when building clean Figma files, using components properly, and maintaining consistency across interfaces.

The small things aren’t just aesthetics — they’re a foundation of trust and usability.

4. Empathy at Scale

Working in oncology trials means I never lose sight of the human behind the data. That same mindset applies to UX: I’m always asking, What’s really going on for the user? What’s the emotional or practical context shaping their experience?

Empathy isn’t new to me — it’s how I work every day.

🚀 What I’m Adding to My UX Toolkit

While clinical trials have given me a solid foundation in research, structure, and empathy, UX design has challenged me to grow in new and exciting ways.

1. Visual & Interaction Design

UX has introduced me to tools and principles I didn’t use in my clinical work — things like visual hierarchy, layout, accessibility, and microinteractions.
Learning Figma has been a creative shift, and I now enjoy using components, auto-layouts, and asset libraries to build scalable designs with clarity and intention.

2. Working Iteratively & Creatively

In clinical trials, workflows are linear and governed by protocol. In UX, I’ve learned to embrace iteration — testing ideas early, gathering feedback, and improving designs rapidly.
It’s a refreshing mindset shift that’s helping me balance structure with creativity.

3. Designing for User Experience, Not Just Accuracy

In both worlds, attention to detail matters — but UX also requires an emotional lens. I'm now learning to design not just for clarity, but for how something feels to the user.
This adds a new dimension to my problem-solving skills and allows me to think more holistically.

🔄 Combining the Best of Both Worlds

Now, as someone who works in clinical trials and designs UX, I see both disciplines informing each other. I use my research skills to guide discovery, my organisational mindset to manage design files and projects, and my understanding of real-world users — especially in healthcare — to design experiences that are both empathetic and effective.

Rather than starting from scratch, I’m building on a strong foundation — and expanding it every day.

TLDR: What transfers from clinical trials to UX?

• ✅ Research rigour & documentation

• ✅ Stakeholder communication

• ✅ Empathy & user context

• ✅ Detail-oriented thinking

• ➕ Growing skills in visual design, creative iteration, and emotional UX

If you’re exploring UX from another industry — especially a highly regulated or scientific one — don’t underestimate the value of your background. UX is all about people, process, and progress. And sometimes, the best designers are the ones who started somewhere else.