May 20th marks Clinical Trials Day, a time to recognize the critical role research plays in driving innovation and improving healthcare outcomes and the research professionals who are committed to transform patients’ lives.
At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, we have actively participated in clinical research for the past decade, offering a variety of trials for patients to pursue in areas of Diabetes, Thyroid, Osteoporosis, PCOS, Cholesterol, and Obesity/Weight Loss.
In honor of Clinical Trials Day, we asked advanced practice providers Carrie Barlow, PA-C, CDCES and Amanda Bonazzi, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CDCES, to share how endocrine research has led to groundbreaking advancements in patient care and why they’re passionate about being involved.
Why Endocrine Research Matters
Endocrine research plays a vital role in helping us address many of our modern-day public health issues and shapes the guidelines we use to determine the best treatment for our patients.
“Having access to innovative therapies and technology has changed the landscape of how we manage our patients’ care,” says Amanda Bonazzi, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CDCES. “It is hard to imagine providing care to patients without these invaluable tools at our fingertips.”
Research not only leads to improvements in existing therapies and technology – it provides space for the development of novel treatments.
Carrie Barlow, PA-C, CDCES adds, “Without research, we wouldn’t be able to improve care or bring new treatments to our patients.”
Bringing Research to the Front Lines of Care
Both Bonazzi and Barlow find it rewarding to be part of a process that not only benefits their current patients, but also drives medical innovation across the country.
“I enjoy seeing research patients because it allows me to contribute to healthcare in a different way,” Bonazzi shares. “It’s a preview of how new medications and therapies will impact patients now and in the future.”
Barlow agrees: “Engaging with research patients provides insights into the effectiveness of new therapies and interventions while also allowing me to contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge.”
What Sets TD&E Research Apart
The research department at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology is a distinguishing feature of our practice. Both Barlow and Bonazzi emphasize how having research departments integrated into all three of our Austin-area locations gives patients early access to emerging treatments and keeps our team of experts on the cutting edge of care.
“Our commitment to research fosters a culture of continuous learning and innovation, ensuring that we remain the very best in providing patient care,” says Barlow.
And because research subjects are recruited from within the practice, patients benefit from both continuity of care and early access to the latest breakthroughs.
“It gives our patients the opportunity to benefit from accessing new treatment options before they are FDA approved,” Bonazzi notes.
Why Patients Should Consider Participating
Certain endocrine treatments may be unaffordable or not covered by insurance, leaving patients with limited options to manage their condition. Clinical research can offer a pathway to care by providing access to therapies and technologies at no cost to the participant.
Not only can it open doors to next generation therapies, but it also gives patients a chance to give back to the broader healthcare community.
“I encourage patients to participate because it offers access to new and potentially more effective treatments—and helps improve future care for others,” says Barlow.
Clinical Research Opportunities at TD&E
You can learn more about our research department and currently enrolling clinical trials here. Please feel free to contact us at (512) 334-3505, option 4, to speak to a research coordinator about our enrolling studies.
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