Area residents may think of St. Lawrence Health (SLH) as a healthcare institution that provides superior care to its patients, and offers a multitude of specialty services. While they are exactly right, they may not be quite as familiar with the SLH Clinical and Rural Health Research Department and all it offers.
One of the main functions of the Clinical Research team is to provide clinical trials in which they encourage and welcome regional community members to get involved. Two of the newest trials concern long-COVID, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current on-going trials involve lupus, Sjogren’s Syndrome, oncology, viral lung infections, and COVID-19; upcoming clinical trials will cover cord blood, and systemic sclerosis.
“Traditionally, clinical research is mostly associated with academic medical centers or large health systems in major cities. Over the past eight years that our department has been in operation, we have proven that thought process is not the case in the North Country,” said Kylie Sands, CCRP, who serves as SLH Clinical Research Operations Manager.
“We are routinely running anywhere from 10 to 15 trials at a time, with the goal to significantly broaden our scope and trial offerings in the next couple years,” she added.
Having the ability to be involved in a local clinical trial is a great option for area patients. Many participants enjoy the increased access to North Country providers and research team members, to whom they can ask questions and get answers quickly.
“We have been known to communicate and work with our trial patients even after they complete their trial. Our team assists them in getting appointments and authorizations for continued drug coverage, and some further serve on our Patient Research Advisory Board,” Ms. Sands said.
After being a clinical trial participant, one patient reported, "The Clinical Research team provided support and guidance every step of the way. [Staff members] Carly and Kylie were informative, helpful, and encouraging friends during my difficulties, and were two of the biggest cheerleaders with my successes."
Clinical research has come a long way in a short amount of time and has been highly regulated since the 1970s. Each SLH staff member who is involved in a clinical trial, from the research coordinators to the providers, undergoes and maintains a Good Clinical Practices training certification, which highlights and emphasizes ethical treatment of patients participating in clinical trials.
Ms. Sands pointed out all industry trials conducted through St. Lawrence Health have been reviewed and approved by an independent ethics committee, which has determined the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.
When deciding on which trials to take part in, the Clinical Research team conducts a careful review of multiple factors.
“We look at our systems capabilities (providers, equipment, etc.), and we consider our patient populations to determine if there is a population that will benefit from the study. In addition, the physician who will be the potential investigator will review the study drug/protocols to determine if it is one in which they would be comfortable in participating,” Ms. Sands said.
Drug sponsors whom the Research team work with have pointed out on various occasions that while SLH may be a difficult site to get to, it is “their favorite one to come to.”
Ms. Sands noted her team had issued a sponsorship survey, and one of many positive comments stated, “The staff is very professional and flexible to our needs. The Study Coordinator is responsive to requests and does a stellar job with reporting events and documenting notes to file. This is a really good research group.”
Along with engaging in industry-sponsored clinical trials, the Clinical Research department works with investigators to facilitate personal projects such as publishing journal articles, applying for grant funding, and reviewing proposed quality improvement projects. The Clinical Research department is also committed to promoting rural health and patient-centered healthcare.
Ms. Sands and Clinical Research Director Scott Wehage frequently present at local and national conferences on the importance of including rural health sites in Clinical Research. Their intent is for St. Lawrence Health to become a leading rural health clinical research site, and inspire other rural sites to offer research to their communities.
The SLH Clinical Research webpage offers information on the types of research it conducts, ongoing and upcoming clinical trials, and answers to frequently asked questions individuals may have about taking part in a clinical trial. The US Food & Drug Administration also has information about clinical trials on their website.
Patients do not need a provider referral to be involved in an SLH clinical trial. The Research department may be reached directly via email or by calling 315-261-6013.
