Clinical trials are a key tool for advancing medical knowledge and patient care. It is only with educational institutions, pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, physicians and volunteer patients that the medical field is able to improve and advance new treatments and methods of care. Through discoveries made with clinical trials physicians gain knowledge to help determine the safety and effectiveness of new care methods that can present new possibilities for patients.
While being involved in clinical trials of new medications inherently has some risk, taking part in a clinical trial can have several benefits. For patients, it can give subjects access to new treatments before they’re widely available; and if a new treatment is shown to work that patient might be among the first to benefit by being part of the trial and then an extension trial. This is particularly important because many people who volunteer for trials are not satisfied with their current treatments.
Even if a patient is part of a study that does not lead to better treatments or new care methods, and results show that doctors are already doing what is best, the patient is still helping and challenging researchers to come up with new ideas to study the disease or condition. All participants of trials help to contribute to scientific knowledge and are vital to the advancement of medicine. Many patients volunteer for trials because they want to help others, take control of their medical condition, and try alternative treatments.
“Patients often find remarkable satisfaction in helping others to find promising treatments by participating in clinical trials,” say Dr. Daniel Nadeau, Program Director of the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center, Dr. Kris V. Iyer Endowed Chair in Diabetes Care and Endocrinologist at Hoag Medical Group.
The Mary and Dick Allen Diabetes Center and Hoag Medical Group are both currently participating in a number of clinical trials for diabetes, Hepatitis C and HIV. Current trials include:
Type 2 diabetes: long-acting insulin combined with lixisenatide (a GLP-1)Hepatitis C interferon-free treatment study for patients co-infected with Hepatitis C and HIV Several HIV and Hepatitis C treatment studies HIV study for patients interested in switching therapies. If you feel you would be a good candidate for one of these trials or you would like more information on the trials please contact Kathy Shea, Clinical Research Program Manager at 949-791-3017 or Kathy.shea@hoag.org.
For more information regarding services at The Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center, please call 949-764-8065 or visitwww.hoag.org/diabetes and for more information about Hoag Medical Group, visitwww.HoagMedicalGroup.com.
