How Clinical Research is Making Advances in Medicine
Clinical research is the backbone of medical progress, serving as the bridge between scientific discovery and tangible improvements in patient care. It is the way health care providers learn how to prevent, diagnose and treat illness.
Why Participate in a Clinical Trial?
One of the primary goals of clinical research is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of new medical interventions by studying new drugs, surgical techniques and medical devices, new ways to use existing treatments, how to change behaviors to improve health, and how to improve the quality of life for people with illnesses. Rambod Rouhbakhsh, MD, MBA, the principal investigator with Hattiesburg Clinic Clinical Research, helps progress medicine by conducting research that aids in disease awareness, treatment and prevention.
“Clinical research is important,” Dr. Rouhbakhsh said. “Hattiesburg Clinic has participated in several studies that have led to breakthrough treatments. Our participation helped researchers make informed decisions about the effectiveness, safety and value of treatments.”
What is a Clinical Trial?
A clinical trial is a carefully controlled research study conducted with volunteers. Before a new therapy can be introduced to patients, it must undergo rigorous testing through clinical trials. These trials are designed to assess the treatment’s effectiveness in addressing specific health conditions while monitoring for any adverse effects. Through controlled studies, researchers can gather evidence to support the approval and widespread adoption of medical interventions, ensuring that patients receive treatments that are both beneficial and safe.
Types of Clinical Trials
There are many different types of clinical trials available. These include:
- Prevention trials look for better ways to prevent a disease in people who have never had the disease or to prevent the disease from returning.
- Screening trials test new ways for detecting diseases or health conditions.
- Diagnostic trials study or compare tests or procedures for diagnosing a particular disease or condition.
- Treatment trials test new treatments, new combinations of drugs or new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy.
- Behavioral trials evaluate or compare ways to promote behavioral changes designed to improve health.
- Quality of life trials explore ways to improve the comfort and quality of life of people with conditions or illnesses.
Why Participate in a Clinical Trial?
Anyone can participate in a clinical trial. Some studies require healthy patients, while others need people who have the condition the trial is aimed at researching. Healthy volunteers typically act as a baseline against which the patient group is compared. A patient volunteer takes part in a trial to help researchers better understand, diagnose or treat that disease or condition. While the idea of participating in a clinical trial might seem intimidating to some, they offer significant benefits not only to participants but to society as a whole.
“Clinical trials offer the opportunity for new treatments that can improve the health of you, your loved ones and millions of others” John S. “Bo” Hrom, MD, FACP, with Hattiesburg Clinic Hematology/Oncology, said. “We are always actively looking for trials that help bring the latest treatments to our patients, but we can’t participate in those trials without your help.”
There are many reasons you should consider participating in clinical trials, including:
- Advancing Medical Knowledge and Innovation: Clinical trials are essential for testing new treatments, medications and medical devices. By participating in a clinical trial, you contribute directly to the advancement of medical knowledge and innovation. Your involvement provides researchers with valuable data that can lead to the development of safer and more effective treatments.
- Access to Cutting-Edge Treatments: Clinical trials often offer participants access to cutting-edge treatments that may not yet be available to the general public. For individuals with serious or life-threatening conditions, participating in a clinical trial could provide access to potentially life-saving therapies that have shown promise in earlier stages of research. Additionally, participating in a clinical trial may offer individuals who have exhausted standard treatment options a chance to try new approaches that could improve their quality of life.
- Personalized Care and Monitoring: Participants in clinical trials often receive personalized care and monitoring from a team of healthcare professionals. This level of attention ensures that participants are closely monitored throughout the trial and any adverse reactions or side effects are promptly addressed. This personalized approach to care can provide participants with a sense of security and confidence in their treatment plan.
Clinical Trials at Hattiesburg Clinic
Hattiesburg Clinic is proud to be making advances in medical technology, services and techniques through various clinical research opportunities. As an expert provider of clinical research in Hattiesburg, MS, our team focuses on providing clinical trials related to cardiology, hematology and oncology, pediatrics, neurology, women’s health, Alzheimer’s Disease, diabetes and more. For more information, please visit www.hattiesburgclinic.com/clinical-research/.
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