Clinical trials offer strong foundation for better patient care
People who take part in clinical trials are shaping the future of health care. Anyone interested in taking part in a clinical trial should speak to their health-care provider.The Ottawa Hospital is one of the top research hospitals in Canada, and patients are a key part of the team. Without their help, researchers would not be able to come up with new treatments or learn more about diseases and conditions.
In honour of World Clinical Trials Day on May 20, here are some examples of the world-leading clinical trials being led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital that illustrate the diversity and breadth of research underway to help improve patient outcomes:
- Dr. Rebecca Auer is studying whether a common treatment for erectile dysfunction combined with the flu vaccine may be able to help the immune system mop up cancer cells left behind after surgery and stop the spread of cancer.
- Drs. Daniel McIsaac, Dean Fergusson, Rachel Khadaroo, John Muscedere and Monica Taljaard will be leading a national clinical trial of a home-based exercise program to help older people prepare for surgery.
- Dr. Shane English is leading an international clinical trial to find the best blood transfusion strategy for brain aneurysms, a form of stroke caused by bleeding into the space around the brain.
- Dr. Harold Atkins is testing whether blood stem cell transplantation regenerates an immune system in a way that prevents the need for lifelong immune-suppressing medication in liver transplant recipients.
- Dr. Tiago Mestre will be leading an international trial of a made-in-Ottawa approach to Parkinson's care in six European countries. People living with Parkinson's identify their care goals with the help of an expert nurse and the use of technology to receive personalized care in the community.
- Dr. Sanjay Murthy and Dr. Dean Fergusson are investigating a novel strategy for colorectal cancer screening in people with inflammatory bowel disease.
Our researchers are making huge contributions to the design and conduct of clinical trials not only in Ottawa, but around the world. Dr. Dean Fergusson recently became President of the Society for Clinical Trials, an international organization dedicated to advancing human health by promoting the use of clinical trials and educating researchers on best practices.
"The Ottawa Hospital punches well above its weight when it comes to offering clinical trials to our patients, from cutting-edge therapies to determining the most effective everyday treatments and diagnostics," said Dr. Fergusson, senior scientist at The Ottawa Hospital and professor at the University of Ottawa. "We are world-leaders in many research areas, thanks in no small part to the contributions of patients and their loved ones."
People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk to their health-care provider. More information can be found on our Ask me about our research page.
Research at The Ottawa Hospital is possible because of generous donations to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion
The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada's largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.
University of Ottawa: --A crossroads of cultures and ideas
The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada's top 10 research universities--our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today's challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca
Media Contact
Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca
Learn more about:
- Acute Care Research Program
- Cancer Research Program
- Inflammation and Chronic Disease Program
- Methodological and Implementation Research Program
- Neuroscience Program
- Brain and neuromuscular disease
- Cancer
- Aging
- Colorectal cancer
- Health in older peoples
- Inflammatory bowel syndrome
- Liver disease
- Parkinson's
- Frailty
- Health services research
- Transfusions
- Transplantation
- Exercise
- Clinical trials
The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
