- Patients participating in a clinical trial can expect to receive additional care along side the care they would receive from their providers. Clinical research trials can require additional procedures such as additional lab work (blood and urine samples), ECGs, questionnaires, dietician visits and visits with our clinical research team.
- Research visits can take 1-3 hours depending on the type of visit and necessary requirements from the study.
- Research visits must stick to the mandatory requirements of each study and maybe less flexible compare to a standard visit to your provider.
- Participating in a research trial requires more frequent visits and phone calls with the site and open an honest communication with the Clinical Research staff. Patients are asked to call the site if they experience any medical or health issues or changes to their mediation.
Category: FAQ
What are the goals of the research department (advancing treatment options, etc)
Our goals of the research department are to help with the advancement of new therapies and devices to help with Diabetes and Endocrine care but to improve a patient’s quality of life and health by offering new alternatives therapies that they would otherwise not have access to.
Why should patients consider enrolling in a clinical trial?
Clinical Trials give patients an opportunity to participate and help with the advancement of medications, devices, and ways to treat different conditions and diseases. Clinical research allows access to further information and care of a patient’s condition and possible access to new medication or treatment not available yet to the public. It also allows the patient to learn more about their disease or condition and allows them to have more of an active role in their health. Ultimately participation in research give participants the chance to help society and other people with the same condition or disease by increasing the knowledge of disease and supports development of new medications or treatments.
Referrals
Due to the lack of Endocrinologists in the Austin & surrounding areas, we do require a referral from your PCP in order to be seen as a new patient with Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology. Once we receive your referral electronically or via fax, a scheduler will be in contact to schedule your appointment.
Of note: If your insurance requires a referral to see a specialist, you will need to have your referral processed before seeing a specialist.
If you are an existing patient & need an extension of time or visits added to the current authorization, please contact your PCP’s office at least one week in advance of when you need the authorization. We cannot guarantee they can backdate the referral.