Let's talk medical research

Donna Matlach is on a mission to increase participation in clinical trials. For nine years, Donna has lived with severe asthma and has suffered three near-death experiences. This prompted her to embark on a national search for relief — after visiting 28 doctors in 12 hospitals, she enrolled in an asthma research study, and the drug she received saved her life. Hear the account of her story below:

Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) in a clinical trial allow patients to answer questions about side effects, symptoms, and quality of life on their own electronic device, or one provided by the study. When used effectively, ePRO in clinical trials can improve both data quality and the overall patient experience.

Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM) technology is one of the driving forces behind every clinical trial. However, because it’s such a behind-the-scenes technology, many clinical trial managers may not be up-to-date on its latest advances — or about changes on the horizon.

An Interactive Web Response System (IWRS) is the technology clinical trial managers use to randomize patients into a trial and to track drug supply. Since maintaining the integrity of a blinded study and sustaining drug supply levels are two of the most important parts of a clinical trial, it’s essential to know how your IWRS works and what to look for when choosing a system.

Recruiting patients for a clinical trial can be a complex process. There are many things to keep track of from outreach to enrollment, whether managing the process in-house or working with a clinical trial recruitment company.

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy is a nonprofit organization whose ultimate goal is to dramatically improve the lives of those living with peripheral neuropathy (weakness, numbness, and pain caused by nerve damage). The Foundation serves as the premier resource for information for patients, families, and healthcare providers. By funding collaborative efforts of leading scientists, The ...

We caught up with Jack Burks, MD, of the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) to find out his thoughts on what’s new and exciting in Multiple Sclerosis research. Here’s what he had to say:

November is COPD Awareness Month, a time that COPD patients, caregivers and organizations promote better COPD treatment and the need for research. Nearly 16 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COPD, and it’s the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Today is the first day of National Diabetes Awareness Month, and to mark the occasion, we had a conversation with three college students, Hannah, Julie, and Natali, who started their own chapter of the College Diabetes Network at the College of New Jersey.

We interviewed Alice Bast, CEO of Beyond Celiac, about her organization and what's next for celiac disease research.