Empowering HHS patients, driving research
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is improving the way patients are recruited for research studies, to help them access new treatments and equitable research opportunities.
Starting Feb. 24, all patients receiving care at HHS will automatically be enrolled in Explore Research, the hospital’s new patient recruitment process for research studies, unless they choose to opt out. Through Explore Research, patients will have the opportunity to be contacted about potential research studies that may fit with their illness and treatment plan.
“The more patients willing to participate in studies, the greater the opportunities to advance human health.” — Katie Porter, director of research administration, HHS.
Patients will be notified about Explore Research during their hospital visit and can opt out at any time if they prefer not to be contacted. No one will be registered for a study without giving consent, and all personal health information will remain confidential.
As well as making the process equitable for those interested in participating in studies, Explore Research will also greatly increase the pool of eligible candidates.
Health-care research wouldn’t be possible without patients who volunteer to try new medications, treatment regimens and lifestyle routines in hopes of advancing innovative new treatments and cures. Explore Research allows researchers to reach out and inform patients about studies that align with their care.
“As well as providing an equitable way to involve patients in HHS research, Explore Research will greatly enhance our studies by providing our teams with a much larger pool of potential candidates to draw from.” — Dr. Marc Jeschke, vice president of research and chief scientific officer, HHS
Prior to Explore Research, patients were invited to take part in studies on a case-by-case basis by a member of their HHS health-care team, such as their doctor. But this approach didn’t give patients equal access to study opportunities, since some team members may not have been aware of research opportunities, or may not have had the time to talk about studies with their patients.
Why research matters
Katie Porter, HHS director of research administration
HHS is a leading academic and research health sciences institution, and the only hospital in Ontario that cares for all ages, from pre-birth to end-of-life. The hospital’s world-class researchers, clinician-scientists, research staff and learners work in labs and at patients’ bedsides, collaborating with the wider community to improve health outcomes for patients locally, nationally and globally.
“The more patients willing to participate in studies, the greater the opportunities to advance human health,” says Katie Porter, director of research administration for HHS. Porter led the teams responsible for bringing this new recruitment approach to the hospital.
Explore Research allows HHS researchers to screen patient records confidentially and privately through Epic, the hospital’s state-of-the-art electronic medical records system, to determine eligibility for studies. Researchers can then contact potentially eligible patients about opportunities, unless the patient has chosen to opt out of being contacted.
Dr. Marc Jeschke, HHS vice president of research and chief scientific officer
“While patients can choose to opt out, our expectation based on other research hospitals’ experiences is that the vast majority of patients welcome the opportunity to participate,” says Dr. Marc Jeschke, vice president of research and chief scientific officer for HHS. “As well as providing an equitable way to involve patients in HHS research, Explore Research will greatly enhance our studies by providing our teams with a much larger pool of potential candidates to draw from.”
Protecting patient privacy
Researchers must obtain Research Ethics Board approval to use Explore Research for a study before contacting patients to gauge their interest in potentially taking part. And only authorized HHS research personnel and key members of the patient’s health-care team can access their records for research recruitment purposes.
How research benefits patients
HHS is a top Canadian research and academic hospital, and many of the doctors and staff are involved in cutting-edge research that’s improving health outcomes. As a result, HHS patients are often the first to benefit from innovative new treatments aimed at prolonging life and curing diseases.
“I’m all for anything that can help with advancing cancer care through research.” — Jessica Cruickshank, cancer study participant
Patients share why research matters
Joahnna Lalic took part in a clinical trial credited with saving her life.
HHS patient Joahnna Lalic was offered an opportunity to take part in a clinical trial for a new drug, after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer so advanced and aggressive that even with treatment, her life expectancy was less than five years. She has been cancer-free for 14 years, and the trial is credited with saving her life.
Clinical trials are a type of research study involving a drug, a procedure or device, or a change to someone’s lifestyle such as exercise or diet. Trials are used to determine safety and effectiveness of potential new treatments. They’re often done in collaboration with universities and industry partners in innovation, pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields provincially, nationally and internationally.
The drug Lalic tested was eventually approved for use in Canada, giving many ovarian cancer patients longer lifespans than anyone could have dreamed of just a few years ago. “I’m on my fourteenth year of being cancer-free because of a trial,” says Lalic.
Taking part in research studies as a young cancer patient was Jessica Cruickshank’s way to help others.
Norfolk County resident Jessica Cruickshank was diagnosed with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a teenager. Cruickshank’s cancer had a high survival rate, and she has been cancer-free for 15 years. She was invited to join studies during her treatment as a way to support HHS research.
“When I was getting blood work, a little extra would be taken for a study,” recalls Cruickshank. “I also provided information about my lifestyle and diet for a study. By participating in studies I was paying it forward, because I knew that I was benefitting from those patients who came before me and took part in studies. I’m all for anything that can help with advancing cancer care through research.”
Learn more about Explore Research.
