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Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Why Is Clinical Research Important? Working in clinical research is very rewarding for any clinician. There is no better way to learn of new treatments and methods. Medical school does not teach that. There are no books. If you want to be a leader in your specialty, you must get involved in research one way or the other. Conducting clinical studies has been my choice for 18 years. The reward comes in a form of novel treatments for my patients as well. There are hundreds of patients who have been our volunteer subjects in research and many of them. receive free medical care for months and years. As a research group, we learned how to be selective of 'good' studies. The start up processes take several months, during which we learn details of the new drug and the study. It is crucial to be attentive to everything during that time. We study preliminary safety, we do tons of paperwork, and we meet the team of people who will conduct the study on behalf of the sponsoring pharmaceutical company. Often, during that time, we must decide whether we even want to be a part of the project. And it does happen that we do not. Historically, we were approached by some companies that do not have a clear strategy or a good business plan for the process. We just pull out then and simply drop from pursuing the study. Sometimes, we do not see the quality of the conducting team until later and then, we simply enroll a very small group of patients to take advantage of the learning process of the new drug, but we focus more attention on details of safety of our patients, giving them more time and assurance. There are plenty of good new drugs that end up in hands of people who do not present good quality of researchers and there is very little we can do about it. In cases like this, our team is on the top of every little detail and provides extra care for every patient. Like it should be, patients' safety and well-being is always our priority. We are very lucky to have an extremely stable and long-term staff who understands the rules and regulations, but also can gauge the problems with outside companies conducting the studies. We know how to keep them accountable for what they do and how they do, and we are not afraid to speak up. Patients are a central part of every clinical study. There is no overstatement in it. Recruitment of patients, their compliance with the processes, and their dedication is number 1 key to success. Often, patients say they do not want to 'do experimental' treatments. Of course, we can understand that. But to be honest, every treatment is in some ways experimental. There are no two or three identical patients, with identical course of treatment even with the drugs that are approved. And there are many approved drugs that end up being taken off the market after years due to some long-term effects that are negative. Not having patients for clinical trials means no new drugs. This is simple and not so positive. A vey simple example from real-life may show the value of research to you: we do not like steroid cream for all skin inflammation. Now, we are studying two different new molecules that are non-steroidal but work exceptionally well. We hope they will get approvals and soon. But that can only happen with your help. That is a simple and easy way to value all the importance of clinical research. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Why Is Clinical Research Important ? Working in clinical research is very rewarding for any clinician . There is no better way to learn of new treatments and methods . Medical school does not teach that . There are no books . If you want to be a leader in your specialty , you must get involved in research one way or the other . Conducting clinical studies has been my choice for 18 years . The reward comes in a form of novel treatments for my patients as well . There are hundreds of patients who have been our volunteer subjects in research and many of them . receive free medical care for months and years . As a research group , we learned how to be selective of ' good ' studies . The start up processes take several months , during which we learn details of the new drug and the study . It is crucial to be attentive to everything during that time . We study preliminary safety , we do tons of paperwork , and we meet the team of people who will conduct the study on behalf of the sponsoring pharmaceutical company . Often , during that time , we must decide whether we even want to be a part of the project . And it does happen that we do not . Historically , we were approached by some companies that do not have a clear strategy or a good business plan for the process . We just pull out then and simply drop from pursuing the study . Sometimes , we do not see the quality of the conducting team until later and then , we simply enroll a very small group of patients to take advantage of the learning process of the new drug , but we focus more attention on details of safety of our patients , giving them more time and assurance . There are plenty of good new drugs that end up in hands of people who do not present good quality of researchers and there is very little we can do about it . In cases like this , our team is on the top of every little detail and provides extra care for every patient . Like it should be , patients ' safety and well - being is always our priority . We are very lucky to have an extremely stable and long - term staff who understands the rules and regulations , but also can gauge the problems with outside companies conducting the studies . We know how to keep them accountable for what they do and how they do , and we are not afraid to speak up . Patients are a central part of every clinical study . There is no overstatement in it . Recruitment of patients , their compliance with the processes , and their dedication is number 1 key to success . Often , patients say they do not want to ' do experimental ' treatments . Of course , we can understand that . But to be honest , every treatment is in some ways experimental . There are no two or three identical patients , with identical course of treatment even with the drugs that are approved . And there are many approved drugs that end up being taken off the market after years due to some long - term effects that are negative . Not having patients for clinical trials means no new drugs . This is simple and not so positive . A vey simple example from real - life may show the value of research to you : we do not like steroid cream for all skin inflammation . Now , we are studying two different new molecules that are non - steroidal but work exceptionally well . We hope they will get approvals and soon . But that can only happen with your help . That is a simple and easy way to value all the importance of clinical research . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net