I interned with a clinical research facility for three years and the one of most recurring problems was trying to recruit people to be in a clinical trial. Many issues arose for patients because participating in a clinical trial is a huge time commitment and usually requires rigorous commitment to the requirements of the study (such as some duties which need to be performed at home). Therefore, most of the patients were usually elderly people who had nothing else to do, which sometimes served to limit the applicability of the studies. As a clinical researcher, part of what you need to be good at doing is recruiting people to your studies. Clinical research is not like traditional research in that you have to have considerable people skills in order to run a successful business. However, often patient concerns are secondary to the rigors required of scientific research which tends to drive people away or results in noncompliance. I think the introduction of patient advocates is a splendid idea, because not only does this protect the patients better, but they can also serve to protect the researchers from the drug companies who are really working to make a profit. - Elizabeth Stapper
It was disturbing to read that opportunities for clinical trials are limited to certain demographics. There are various trials that test efficacies of not only drugs, but medical technologies, and procedures. Current clinical trial designs are known to be time consuming among other flaws that are currently being improved. The article mentions the pressure experienced by the patients, which should be expected, and managed through careful counseling that results in genuine informed consent. In regards to the topic of NCI-MMATCH trials, it should be clear that the advanced technique of selective cancer treatments has benefits over traditional methods. The process is complicated, expensive, and limited, which is why patient involvement is small. Given that, I hope study designs continue to improve to allow for better patient feedback, which could potentially increase participation, and advocacy for this practice from members of the non-scientific community. - Ilya pound
I interned with a clinical research facility for three years and the one of most recurring problems was trying to recruit people to be in a clinical trial. Many issues arose for patients because participating in a clinical trial is a huge time commitment and usually requires rigorous commitment to the requirements of the study (such as some duties which need to be performed at home). Therefore, most of the patients were usually elderly people who had nothing else to do, which sometimes served to limit the applicability of the studies. As a clinical researcher, part of what you need to be good at doing is recruiting people to your studies. Clinical research is not like traditional research in that you have to have considerable people skills in order to run a successful business. However, often patient concerns are secondary to the rigors required of scientific research which tends to drive people away or results in noncompliance. I think the introduction of patient advocates is a splendid idea, because not only does this protect the patients better, but they can also serve to protect the researchers from the drug companies who are really working to make a profit. - Elizabeth Stapper
ReplyDeleteIt was disturbing to read that opportunities for clinical trials are limited to certain demographics. There are various trials that test efficacies of not only drugs, but medical technologies, and procedures. Current clinical trial designs are known to be time consuming among other flaws that are currently being improved. The article mentions the pressure experienced by the patients, which should be expected, and managed through careful counseling that results in genuine informed consent. In regards to the topic of NCI-MMATCH trials, it should be clear that the advanced technique of selective cancer treatments has benefits over traditional methods. The process is complicated, expensive, and limited, which is why patient involvement is small. Given that, I hope study designs continue to improve to allow for better patient feedback, which could potentially increase participation, and advocacy for this practice from members of the non-scientific community. - Ilya pound
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