New Tool Aimed at Improving Access to and Participation in Research
6/30/09
The Taussig Cancer Institute at Cleveland Clinic today debuted a new online tool for patients, caregivers and physicians to search for open clinical trials. The database, located at www.clevelandclinic.org/cancerclinicaltrials, lists all of the trials being managed by oncologists in the Taussig Cancer Institute that are accepting patients, which currently amounts to more than 100.
The web-based tool allows users to search open studies by cancer type, physician and/or the Clinic location where patients are seen as part of the study. The database includes clinical trials taking place at all Cleveland Clinic campuses, including main campus and the regional hospitals.
“It is our hope that this effort will result in more awareness of research happening locally among patients, caregivers and physicians in order to increase participation in these important studies,” said Derek Raghavan, M.D., Ph.D, chairman of the Taussig Cancer Institute. “Clinical trials are the keys to finding better treatment options for patients with cancer, and to have successful research and progress, we need patients to step forward. We are trying to make it easier for them by increasing the availability of clinical cancer trials across the Cleveland Clinic System, and thus bring access closer to home.”
In clinical trials, patients receive treatment and doctors carry out research on how the treatment affects them. A patient’s progress is closely monitored during the trial. Once the treatment portion of the trial has been completed, patients may continue to be followed in order to gather information regarding specific endpoints.
Patients, family members and physicians who have questions about a specific trial or who are interested in enrolling in an open study can call the Cancer Answer Line at 866.223.8100 to speak to a cancer nurse and receive more information.
About Taussig Cancer Institute
The Taussig Cancer Institute is one of 26 institutes at Cleveland Clinic that group multiple specialties together to provide collaborative, patient-centered care. More than 250 cancer specialists annually serve 26,000 cancer patients, applying the most effective techniques to achieve long-term survival and improved quality of life. Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit, multispecialty academic medical center. Founded in 1921, it is dedicated to providing quality specialized care and includes an outpatient clinic, a hospital with more than 1,000 staffed beds, an education institute and a research institute. Taussig’s Web site address is www.clevelandclinic.org/cancer/
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Approximately 1,800 full-time salaried physicians and researchers at Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida represent more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. In 2008, there were 3.6 million outpatient visits to Cleveland Clinic and 48,300 hospital admissions. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 80 countries. Cleveland Clinic’s Web site address is www.clevelandclinic.org/
Media Contact:
Megan Ferington Pruce, 216.445.7452, prucem@ccf.org
