Dr. John Leonard
The Joint Clinical Trials Office at Weill Cornell Medical College and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has launched a new website developed as a key hub of information for patients, clinical researchers and physicians.
The website, which went live May 15, provides patients with educational materials about clinical research, as well as a catalogue of open clinical trials at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. In addition, the website provides physician-investigators with important resources to conduct clinical research.
"This new website is important because we are trying to grow clinical research activities here at the institution," said Dr. John Leonard, director of the clinical trials office, associate dean for clinical research, the Richard T. Silver Distinguished Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology and professor of medicine at Weill Cornell.
"Our clinical research programs are synergistic with our laboratory and translational research activities, as well as with our clinical care enterprise," said Dr. Leonard, who is also an oncologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell. "In order to grow our clinical research initiatives, in concert with the Clinical and Translational Science Center, we need to provide the tools for faculty and staff to be successful in designing, activating and managing their projects. Additionally, we want to have information available for external collaborators at other academic centers and in industry, and want to support our patients who might want to get involved in our activities."
The Joint Clinical Trials Office was established in January 2013 to assemble many of the medical center's clinical trials support programs under one umbrella. Its goal is to increase the impact, volume, and quality of clinical trials in all departments at the medical center while maximizing efficiencies and facilitating regulatory compliance.
The website provides clinical researchers with many of the tools they may need to begin a trial, including contracting, budget and regulatory procedures, as well as training and educational information. It also provides guidance to investigators on how to enroll patients, access biostatistics and other institutional resources, and how to register clinical trials with the federal government. This streamlined approach to facilitate clinical trials is designed to further Weill Cornell's mission to advance science to improve patient care.
The website provides general information about clinical trials and frequently asked questions, as well as user-friendly browsing of open trials that span more than 30 disease areas, conditions or disciplines ranging from diabetes and cancer to kidney disease and sleep disorders.
"Any time a patient and family go into an exam room with a physician, the information they are provided with regarding his or her prognosis, treatment and what to expect out of a disease is all guided by research," Dr. Leonard said. "Clinical research is an essential component of what ultimately is going to result in improved outcomes for patients.
"Unfortunately for a vast majority of patients, many don't know that clinical trials are an option for them," Dr. Leonard said. "So having a resource where they can get information and start to figure out whether or not a clinical trial is something to consider and learn more is an essential component of the process."