Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Is it for real? The question above was a real-life question in our clinic. As most of the readers know, we have been conducting research studies for 20 years now, and hundreds of patients have served as research patients, receiving benefits at no cost new drug trials. This particular question was asked by one of the patients with bad psoriasis, who got tired of steroid creams, but could not pay for a systemic drug due to a $15,000 deductible. The patient listened to what we could offer as options, went home, talked to her 'friends' on social media and was absolutely sure we were trying to scam her into some really bad situation. Social media 'friends' told each other about horrible stories and how a person can end up with cancer and many dollars of debt. The patient returned and asked more questions and later decided to go through a 'real' screening visit, with all bloodwork and ECG, and she paid nothing. And later, she read her consent to the study again, looked up some institutions like FA and IRB, and suddenly, it turned out that all we said earlier was the truth. And her 'friends' from social media were uninformed, ill-meaning, and simply creating conspiracies. The Internet offers us many benefits. There was no time in the past for humans to access world-wide information, education, history, and more. Reliable websites, like Wikipedia, practically serve as old-fashioned schoolbooks and encyclopedias. Within a matter of seconds, we can map-travel to Asia or Europe, and walk through the cities. It is easy and low-cost, no plane tickets needed. Not only those computers changed that for us, but now, even a phone everybody carries daily can do the same. However, a lot of information keeps coming with no control or verification, and the fact that anybody can say almost anything with no consequences, made people extremely prone to spreading misinformation. Who cares? Right? They will not do anything to me anyway. We have free speech, and we can publish any opinion or thought we wish. As a matter of fact, there are many well-known individuals who tend to post every thought that comes out of their mind, with no reflection on outcome or audience, or consequences. Also, unfortunately, we get examples of similar misinformation from our leaders, higher and lower ranks leaders. Often, they think about a topic, and they come up with their own story or interpretation, they do not check the facts, and they just create a conspiracy. We heard some totally unbelievable ones, bringing some individuals from death to lead the country, or planning assassinations. All of that communicated to thousands of people who live their lives on social media and are hungry for drama in their daily boredom. Conspiracies harm all of us. They do not bring any value to our knowledge, health, or any progress. On the contrary, they digress from what is really important and true. I am happy we were able to explain to our patients that clinical studies are true, and yes, they are volunteer-based and free of cost, and yes, most of them pay a small stipend for the time dedicated to visits. And no, we do not participate or offer studies that are truly experimental. They are all approved for operations by the FDA and selected Ethical Board, and they all offer more benefit than risk to our patients. Please, remember, check the facts before you form your own opinion. About anything. 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 Is it for real ? The question above was a real - life question in our clinic . As most of the readers know , we have been conducting research studies for 20 years now , and hundreds of patients have served as research patients , receiving benefits at no cost new drug trials . This particular question was asked by one of the patients with bad psoriasis , who got tired of steroid creams , but could not pay for a systemic drug due to a $ 15,000 deductible . The patient listened to what we could offer as options , went home , talked to her ' friends ' on social media and was absolutely sure we were trying to scam her into some really bad situation . Social media ' friends ' told each other about horrible stories and how a person can end up with cancer and many dollars of debt . The patient returned and asked more questions and later decided to go through a ' real ' screening visit , with all bloodwork and ECG , and she paid nothing . And later , she read her consent to the study again , looked up some institutions like FA and IRB , and suddenly , it turned out that all we said earlier was the truth . And her ' friends ' from social media were uninformed , ill - meaning , and simply creating conspiracies . The Internet offers us many benefits . There was no time in the past for humans to access world - wide information , education , history , and more . Reliable websites , like Wikipedia , practically serve as old - fashioned schoolbooks and encyclopedias . Within a matter of seconds , we can map - travel to Asia or Europe , and walk through the cities . It is easy and low - cost , no plane tickets needed . Not only those computers changed that for us , but now , even a phone everybody carries daily can do the same . However , a lot of information keeps coming with no control or verification , and the fact that anybody can say almost anything with no consequences , made people extremely prone to spreading misinformation . Who cares ? Right ? They will not do anything to me anyway . We have free speech , and we can publish any opinion or thought we wish . As a matter of fact , there are many well - known individuals who tend to post every thought that comes out of their mind , with no reflection on outcome or audience , or consequences . Also , unfortunately , we get examples of similar misinformation from our leaders , higher and lower ranks leaders . Often , they think about a topic , and they come up with their own story or interpretation , they do not check the facts , and they just create a conspiracy . We heard some totally unbelievable ones , bringing some individuals from death to lead the country , or planning assassinations . All of that communicated to thousands of people who live their lives on social media and are hungry for drama in their daily boredom . Conspiracies harm all of us . They do not bring any value to our knowledge , health , or any progress . On the contrary , they digress from what is really important and true . I am happy we were able to explain to our patients that clinical studies are true , and yes , they are volunteer - based and free of cost , and yes , most of them pay a small stipend for the time dedicated to visits . And no , we do not participate or offer studies that are truly experimental . They are all approved for operations by the FDA and selected Ethical Board , and they all offer more benefit than risk to our patients . Please , remember , check the facts before you form your own opinion . About anything . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net