The development of new treatments, strategies or devices that improve patient care relies heavily on clinical research. A Renal Staff Microgrant has been award to a team who will use web-based communication to educate patients about clinical research and provide information on current clinical studies that are actively enrolling patients. Team members include Jean Audrain RN, Rebecca Cusanelli RN, Sue Dombek RN, Brittany Heady PA, Joanne Lauber RN, Helen Wijeweera NP, Daniel Brennan MD, Daniel Coyne MD and Rowena Delos Santos MD.
The project will use the Division of Nephrology’s website to post information about clinical studies at Washington University, thus making the information available to not only patients, but to researchers, staff, residents and fellows, as well. The importance of clinical trials and their potential benefits/risks will be discussed. Ongoing trials will be listed and a direct link to www.clinicaltrials.gov will provide more detailed study information regarding eligibility and outcome measures.
Short videos will also be created to explain why research is important and to discuss how the benefits of enrolling clinical trials could lead to advanced means of screening, preventing, detecting or treating diseases. Print media (flyers/brochures) and social media outlets will be used to advertise the website.