Health Experts Highlight Growing Need For Clinical Trial Participants In Green County

Health experts told News On 6 there is a growing need for people to participate in clinical trials for new drugs and treatments.

Researchers and doctors in Green Country are working to keep up with the demand. Those involved in clinical trials said it is a challenge to find qualified participants, and they hope more people will step up.

Dr. Debbie Gladd Foley said she knows the power of medicine.

"I literally got to see people get out of wheelchairs and walk again," said Dr. Foley.

Dr. Foley is the owner and medical director of Premier Rheumatology of Oklahoma.

Her clinic near 61st and Sheridan is involved in trials for autoimmune diseases, like Lupus, and even has a therapy dog to help patients feel at ease.

"We go through a battery of questions, a very thorough physical exam," said Dr. Foley.

Dr. Foley said when someone is approved for a trial, she puts them on the medication or treatment, tracks their progress, and puts that information into a database. Her office works with Essential Medical Research, which is an investigative site for trials in Tulsa and part of the approval process for the Food and Drug Administration.

John Estes with Essential Medical Research said there is a growing need for participants.

"Because there's just so new treatments, new medications, new devices coming out," said Estes.

Estes said for participants, insurance is not needed, and they are paid for their visits and transportation.

He says it is rewarding when participants find relief for their health issues while also helping the world understand a medication better. He encourages those interested to do their research.

"A lot of people have a different misconception about what trials are and again, it's something that can be very, very effective and again, giving them access to treatments that nobody else in the world has access to," said Estes.

Essential Medical Research said it can be as quick as two weeks for a participant to be screened and qualified to start a trial.

For a list of open trials, go to EMEDR.com.