Should you Consider Participating in a Clinical Trial?

30 Jun 2017 General , , ,

Did you know that clinical trials help medicine move forward? Without them, we would miss out on new procedures, medications, new medical devices, more effective ways to diagnose disease, and other advances. Clinical trials are a way to prove new forms of treatments have value towards patient care. Some people participate in clinical trials because, even though they are healthy, they want to give back. Others have a certain disorder and might benefit from treatment. Below are some things you should understand and consider before participating in a clinical trial.

 

What Happens in a Clinical Trial?

 

Clinical trials are a form of medical research. After what may be years or even decades of laboratory work, which often involves animal studies, promising research is then greenlighted to start testing the effectiveness of a given experimental treatment or diagnostic procedure on humans. A protocol (clinical plan) is developed that lays out the groundwork of how the testing will be done, who can or cannot participate (age, weight, patients with or without a certain disorder or condition), what they are seeking to prove, how the information will be gathered and tracked, as well as how long the study will take.

 

While every precaution is taken to ensure trial participant is safe, by its very nature, clinical trials include some inherent risk. That is why the law requires what is known as informed consent. Basically, it means that the researchers creating the study must explain any relevant facts and potential risks to anyone who is going to participate. This is not a one-time requirement either, as informed consent is required throughout the clinical study. Researchers have to explain what will be done, any potential benefits and risk, where and how research will be conducted, and how long the participants can expect the trial to run.

 

Medical personnel monitor trial participants and gather feedback about any responses, unexpected reactions, and the health of those in the trial. In the US, most trials are monitored and reviewed by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB helps to create and enforce any rules and guidelines to ensure that the trials are conducted ethically and that the individual rights of clinical trial participants are protected. Before participating in a clinical study, consider this information carefully and make sure that the research is approved and monitored by the IRB.

 

Clinical trials are completed in phases, with different facets and research goals. There are also different kinds of clinical trials. These include: quality of life trails, screening trials, treatment trials, prevention trials, and diagnostic trials. If you would like to know more about participating in a clinical trial, or to make an appointment with one of our outstanding orthopedic physicians, please call Tucson Orthopaedic Institute, in East Tucson at (520) 784-6200, Northwest Tucson at (520) 382-8200, or Oro Valley at (520) 544-9700, or request an appointment online.

Did You Know? 8 Interesting Facts about Physical Therapy

21 Dec 2016 General, Physical Therapy , , , ,

If you have a musculoskeletal injury or condition, physical therapists can help you recover by improving your mobility, reducing your pain, and restoring your function. While this is widely known, here are some interesting things you might not know about physical therapy (PT).

How did it all begin? The profession of physical therapy began during World War I in response to the need to treat injured soldiers. The benefits of PT have since been proven so great that it is now an integral part of strengthening and recovery. 8 Interesting Facts About Physical Therapy

Where do physical therapists work? Besides physician practices like Tucson Orthopaedic Institute, physical therapists can work in a number of other settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes.

What else do physical therapists do? Most people probably associate PT with orthopedic rehabilitation, but there are several other types of physical therapy, including neurologic rehabilitation (e.g., working with stroke patients and spinal cord injuries), acute care, post-operative care, cardiovascular and pulmonary rehab, lymphedema management, pelvic floor therapy, and burn/wound care.

Can physical therapists treat anything other than musculoskeletal disorders? Besides disorders of the bones, muscles, and joints, physical therapists can treat balance problems such as dizziness and vertigo (a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear), headaches, concussions, jaw pain (such as TMJ), lymphedema, urinary incontinence, COPD and other cardiopulmonary conditions, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.

What kind of credentials do physical therapists have? When physical therapy was first recognized as a profession, PTs only had to have a bachelor’s degree to practice. Today PTs have advanced degrees. Masters degrees became the required norm during the 1990s, while most of today’s PT graduates obtain a doctoral degree (DPT).

Do physical therapists do massage? Physical therapy is a hands-on therapeutic treatment. While PTs are trained in massage, it is not the type of massage you may have received from a massage therapist at a spa. Physical therapists use massage to reduce tightness and improve mobility of the muscle, soft tissue, or joint that is inflamed or in pain. It is typically referred to as manual therapy, manipulation, or mobilization. So massage is part of the therapy process to reduce pain and increase mobility.

How many physical therapists are there? In 2014, there were 210,900 PTs in the US. This number is expected to rise by 34% through 2024. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Do I need a referral to receive physical therapy? It depends on where you live. Arizona and 21 other states allow unlimited direct access to PT. This means that you can see a physical therapist as often as you want for as long as you want without a referral from a doctor. However, you should check with your health insurance company first to make sure they will reimburse you for your physical therapy sessions.

For orthopedic physical therapy in Tucson, call Tucson Orthopaedic Institute today. We offer physical therapy in East Tucson [(520) 784-6570] and Northwest Tucson [(520) 382-8201]. Contact your preferred location to make an appointment.

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