UW Health's Eastpark Medical Center is set to transform patient care by fully integrating clinical trials into the healthcare experience. Opening in a few weeks, the center will provide patients with seamless access to participate in studies testing new treatments and devices.
Enhanced Access to Clinical Trials
According to Betsy Nugent, senior director and chief clinical research officer at UW Health, clinical trials are crucial for advancing medicine and identifying optimal therapies. At Eastpark Medical Center, the integration of clinical trials into standard care aims to offer every patient the opportunity to participate in research. This approach brings research directly to the patient, streamlining the process and improving accessibility.
"We aim to offer every patient the opportunity to participate in clinical research, should they choose to do so," Nugent stated. "The integration of research into standard care processes at Eastpark will help move us even closer to that goal by bringing research to the patient, rather than the patient to research."
State-of-the-Art Research Facilities
The Eastpark Clinical Research Unit is equipped to support patients involved in complex trials with extended treatments. Located near the infusion center, which accommodates both oncology and non-oncology studies, the unit includes dedicated research consult and exam rooms, as well as a research specimen processing lab for same-day biological sample analysis. These features facilitate the effective integration of research into patient care, ensuring a seamless experience whether patients are receiving standard treatment, participating in a clinical trial, or both.
Focus on Diversity and Inclusion
UW Health emphasizes that diverse participation in clinical trials is essential for achieving better outcomes across the broader community. Eastpark Medical Center is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all patients, including those whose primary language is not English, making research participation as accessible, easy, and comfortable as possible.
"Diverse participation in clinical trials is critical to provide better results on how a therapy in question will work for the broader community," Nugent explained. "All patients will experience a welcoming, inclusive environment that makes research participation as accessible, easy and comfortable as possible."
Partnering with Patients
Nugent emphasized the critical role of participants in driving health research innovations at UW–Madison and UW Health.
"Participants are truly our partners in research," she said. "Without their participation, it would be impossible to move medicine forward at UW."
