Carilion Clinic Newsroom

Research May 2025 Newsletter

Mon, 05 May 2025 12:42:20 -0400

Colleagues,

Spring is here—well, almost. With that in mind, it's time to congratulate our medical students, residents, and fellows as they embark on their next journey. I want to thank everyone who contributed to the research mission of Carilion Clinic.

To that end, our Research Day was held on April 14, 2025, at Riverside 4, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. Over 45 students from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health (TBMH), Virginia Tech, and Radford University participated, with many presenting either a poster and/or an oral presentation. Thirty-seven (37) residents and fellows also presented, with numerous projects highlighted in the Departments of Pharmacy and Orthopaedics.

With the growth of research over the past several years, it is clear that we must develop a governing structure to foster innovation, provide strategic direction, and enhance coordination with our research collaborators. In this newsletter, you will read about the launch of an Executive Research Council led by our Institutional Research Officer, Robert Trestman, PhD, MD. In addition, Andrea Mohr, Director of Clinical Trials, shares valuable information on our Clinical Research Coordinator structure and its utilization for future research endeavors.

In closing, enjoy this beautiful weather.

Francis X. Farrell, PhD
Senior Director, Research and Development

iTHRIV Clinical Translational Science Pilot Studies Program Cancelled

A message from iTHRIV: We would like to inform you that the iTHRIV Clinical Translational Science pilot studies program will not be accepting applications in 2025 as previously planned. The translational science ideas session on May 13^th will be canceled and the information session for the program will not be rescheduled.

Please see this page for other funding opportunities at your institutions. Thank you for your continual commitment in advancing clinical and translational sciences, and for your interest in the CTS pilot studies program.

New R&D Employees

Autumn Weidman, Clinical Research Coordinator II – OB/Gyn
Autumn Weidman is a new Clinical Research Coordinator at Carilion Clinic. Her background includes public health, epidemiology, and research pertaining to different population groups. As a resident of Southwest Virginia, she hopes to utilize her Master of Public Health and other educational experiences to positively impact the local community through research. When she’s not at work you can find her spending time with her family or at CrossFit.

Current R&D Job Openings

Carilion Clinic TriNetX Virtual Training Schedule

Carilion offers instructor-led, focused training for an in-depth, step-by-step learning experience building patient cohorts and delving into Analytics. The facilitator will be Dee Myers. Please get in touch with HART@carilionclinic.org with the subject of 'TriNetX Training' for training outside of the scheduled sessions. If you haven’t taken a class or need a refresher, this is your opportunity to do so! Let Dee Myers know which date you prefer and she will send a meeting invitation.

May 14, 10:30 a.m. – noon
May 29, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Jun 11, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Jun 26, 10:30 a.m. - noon

https://redcap.link/v5pw9j7j to sign up for TriNetX digitally

For more information visit:https://redcapweb.carilionclinic.org/redcap/surveys/?s=dcUCIpMAzk8BqKH2

My Project Path:

Resources and Processes for Research, Grants, and QA/QI

Want to do a project, but don’t know where to start? Or, experienced but want to see what new resources are available?

To learn about Carilion’s resources and processes for Research, Grants and QA/QI, visit https://redcap.link/MyProjectPath . This tool provides easy navigation to topics of interest, including links to the Research and Development Application and the IRB PRIS3M application.

iTHRIV Learning Shorts

iTHRIV periodically creates short educational videos, named "Learning Shorts". Learning Shorts are brief, digestible online educational offerings organized around a specific topic. iTHRIV hopes that these videos will help educate, dispel misinformation, and create a basis for conversation between the community and health researchers. To learn more visit: https://www.ithriv.org/short-educational-videos

iTHRIV Updates:

Upcoming Workshops and general information: https://portal.ithriv.org/#/home

Newsletter link: https://www.ithriv.org/april-2023-newsletter

* Carilion Clinic Research and Development is honored to partner with a growing list of prestigious national and statewide research centers and healthcare organizations. Find out more about our collaborative research initiatives; explore our unique public-private partnerships with the Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC) School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Radford University Carilion, and others. Connect with our team to discuss opportunities to collaborate with our experts or become a participant.

Research December 2024 Newsletter

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:10:24 -0500

Colleagues,

As we prepare for the end of 2024, I would like to reflect on some of the research highlights of fiscal year 2024. Carilion Clinic launched twenty-eight new clinical trials, bringing our total portfolio to over 140 trials. In addition, twenty-five new grants were awarded. Moreover, 250 research applications were reviewed and processed by Research and Development to commence research endeavors. Our internal research funding program, theResearch Acceleration Program, continues to grow in both the quality and number of submissions. Recently, twenty-two applications (22) were submitted for review and funding. In this newsletter, you will find articles on the changes to our General Consent to Treatment regarding research, highlights from three of our clinical departments, a recent issue pertaining to REDCap and surveys and changes to grant submissions. In closing, I would like to wish everyone a happy, safe, and relaxing holiday season.

Francis X. Farrell, PhD
Senior Director, Research and Development

Updates to Grant Submission Process

The research infrastructure is expanding at Carilion, and it is a very exciting time to be an investigator. The Grants Office in Research & Development (R&D) has outlined helpful information and updated processes to navigate the grant submission process.

Defining “grants”

Extramural Funding
Grants can include federal funding opportunities that are issued by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, and other federal offices. Grants can also include private funding from foundations and/or program specific grants that have a dedicated focus on addressing areas of high need or areas of interest to the funding organization. All of these opportunities fall under the purview of the Grants Office.

Intramural Funding
Research funding does not always have to come from outside of the organization. Carilion has funding opportunities within our system such as the RAP grant https://www.carilionclinic.org/research#research-acceleration-program , and collaborative funding through the Whole Health Consortium. People with a faculty appointment at VT may also have the option of additional funding opportunities that are internal to VT. The Grants Office should be apprised of applications for intramural funding as well!

Carilion processes for applying for funding

The Grants Office is here to help with both pre and post award activities, including preparing budgets, supporting proposal submission, coordinating with external collaborators, negotiating agreements, and promoting good stewardship in administering the fiduciary and technical responsibilities of awards.

Below is a step-by step process for applying for a grant:

Work with the grants office to find funding opportunities AND create a FREE Grant Forward Account to search for grants and to get grant updates: https://www.grantforward.com/index
Contact us as early as possible to discuss the project. We require a lead time of at least 30 days for most applications and at least 60 days for NIH applications. This lead time is critical especially if there are external collaborators, as we need to coordinate with their grants team and work within their timeline.
Submit an R&D application. This is a requirement and includes department chair approval and sign off. https://redcapweb.carilionclinic.org/redcap/surveys/index.php?s=EE7LAYHFDF
Work with the Grants Office to schedule a feasibility meeting and discuss the budget, and submission timeline.
Build your NIH bio sketch in the SciENcv platform, which will be a requirement for federal grants starting in May 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/

How can we help? Contact Trish Winter, PhD Grants Management Administrator: to get started: pjwinter@carilionclinic.org

REDCap Public Survey Security Concerns

We have had two incidents recently where “bad actors” became aware of REDCap public surveys offering gift card compensation. Multiple illegitimate survey entries were submitted in rapid succession in an attempt to receive cards. The survey links were available on posted flyers or were distributed with good intentions through social media by a participant.

In both cases, the suspicious entries were discovered quickly and mitigation efforts were applied.

Public surveys are sometimes necessary, but please be wary and use discretion when offering gift card compensation to participants.

New information regarding REDCap survey security will be provided through MyProjectPath to keep you informed on evolving security measures and best practices.

If you will be distributing public survey links from REDCap for a project that offers gift card compensation, please contact HART@carilionclinic.org and a helpful Power Point with security considerations will be provided.

In a recent iTHRIV newsletter feature, Mattie Tenzer, Director of Health Analytics Research at Carilion Clinic, was recognized for her pivotal role in advancing healthcare research across Virginia. Leading the iTHRIV iBERDI initiative and Carilion’s research analytics team, she supports 280+ projects annually, fostering collaborations with academic institutions, healthcare providers, and community organizations. With over 30 years of experience and a passion for innovation, Mattie continues to drive impactful health solutions statewide. Read the full article here.

New R&D Employee's

Leigh Anne Phan, Clinical Research Coordinator II – Oncology
Leigh Anne Phan recently joined our team as a CRC II in Oncology. She will be working primarily in Pulmonology Oncology on our new collaboration with Everest Detection. Leigh Anne brings with her 21 years of experience in healthcare, including 5 years as a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) and 2.5 years as a Senior CRA at Blue Ridge Cancer Care, where she gained extensive familiarity with oncology research. Most recently, she worked on a grant-funded project at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, focusing on clinical trial coordination, patient recruitment, and regulatory compliance. Her diverse background and experience make her an excellent fit for this position, and we are confident she will make a valuable contribution to our team.

Julia Shelton, Clinical Research Assistant - Neurosurgery
Julia earned her BS in Biological Sciences from Virginia Tech. There, she participated in grant-funded laboratory research. She has been accepted into Radford University Carilion’s 2025 Medical Laboratory Science program.

Current R&D Job Openings

The Clinical Research Coordinator will support a grant funded project at Carilion Clinic in the assigned department. Basic responsibilities include supporting research investigators/physicians with guidance on research policies and processes, enabling successful collaborations with research sponsors, monitoring and tracking study progress, study design assistance, regulatory submission and maintenance, research subject visit management, obtaining tissue specimens for processing, and any other research-related duties, as necessary.
Clinical Research Coordinator - Cardiology
Clinical Research Coordinator - Cardiothoracic Surgery
Clinical Research Coordinator - OB/Gyn

Clinical Research Assistant assists with administrative activities associated with the conduct of research studies including industry sponsored, investigator initiated, grant funded, or internally funded studies while maintaining compliance with guidelines set by governing agencies and institutional policy. This position will be assigned to support minimal risk or non-interventional studies, unless assigned to serve in a support function for greater than minimal risk studies that also include a Clinical Research Coordinator or Clinical Research Nurse.
Clinical Research Assistant - Aortic Center
Clinical Research Assistant - Emergency Medicine

Carilion Clinic TriNetX Virtual Training Schedule

Jan 15, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Jan 30, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Feb 13, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Feb 27, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Mar 11, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Mar 26, 1:30 – 3 p.m.

TriNetX User Agreement: https://redcap.link/v5pw9j7j

For more information visit:https://redcapweb.carilionclinic.org/redcap/surveys/?s=dcUCIpMAzk8BqKH2

My Project Path:

Resources and Processes for Research, Grants, and QA/QI

Want to do a project, but don’t know where to start? Or, experienced but want to see what new resources are available?

iTHRIV Learning Shorts

iTHRIV Updates:

Upcoming Workshops and general information: https://portal.ithriv.org/#/home

Newsletter link: https://www.ithriv.org/april-2023-newsletter

Carilion's Basic Science Research Lab

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:59:51 -0500

The mission of Carilion’s Basic Science Research Lab (BSRL) is to create an environment that promotes the success of our researchers.

Most of the bench research in the BSRL belongs to two main focal areas: antimicrobial resistance and biofilms. We increasingly employ a One Health perspective. Dr. Jayasimha Rao is our senior researcher. Dr. Mark Frazier develops, conducts and assists with research. Dr. Ellie Nowak, Infectious Diseases physician, provides critical research capabilities and insights. Our lab works with Carilion Clinical Research staff, Carilion physicians and staff, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine students, Radford University Carilion faculty and students, Governor’s School students, and others.

Current projects include

One Health: Evaluating antimicrobial resistance gene patterns in canine and human urine E. coli, Development of a canine model of recurrent uropathogenic E. coli infection for evaluation of a novel biologic therapeutic
Designing Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) to reduce the occurrence of catheter-associated biofilms
Using histotripsy to disrupt and prevent biofilm formation in catheters; translational research with bedside applications
Local Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Pilot to determine presence and usefulness of microbial and antimicrobial targets significant to local public health
Analysis of Acinetobacter isolates for antimicrobial resistance gene targets
Investigation of Gram positive bacteria for biofilm formation and using natural enzymes and PNAs to affect formation
Gut-Brain connection in C. difficile infections in the elderly
Analyzing serum samples for neurovascular makers of traumatic brain injury
Analyzing serum samples for vascular markers of stroke
Maintaining Carilion-VT shared Neurosurgery Biorepository
Processing blood and body fluids for clinical research

Projects under development include but are not limited to

Evaluation of phage target in Providentia
Phages in local waterways
Projects with VTCSOM students

Development of a field-based rapid test for Mycobacterium species
Using novel focused ultrasound device for DNA extraction
Using phone-based interface to evaluate patient and environmental multidrug resistance data
Employing AI to detect multidrug resistant genes
Addressing biofilm formation in ventriculoperitoneal shunts
Investigation of Staphylococcus mediated biofilms to determine effective means of disruption

2024 Posters Presented

Lauren Luther, Kathleen Linsenman, Kaylin Young, Troy Stallard, Lia W. Lehrer, BS, Nihita Kamireddy, Susan A. Tolliver, MBA, MT(ASCP)., Sara Reed Houser, MS., Jayasimha Rao, PhD, MVPHA, FVPHA. (2024) Pilot study utilizing wastewater-based epidemiology to determine presence of gram-negative enterobacterial targets in Southwest Virginia sewersheds [Poster presentation]. Carilion Research Day, Roanoke, VA.
Stevens, J. M., East, B. H., Frazier, M. W., Rogers, R. L., Lehrer, L. W., Tolliver, S. A., & Rao, J. (2024, October 11). Analysis of Community Wastewater Samples for the Presence of Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Targets [Poster presentation]. American Society for Microbiology Virginia Branch Meeting, Blacksburg, VA.
Lehrer, L., W., Linsenman, K., Stallard, T., Luther, L., Young, K., Kamireddy, N., Rogers, R. L., Tolliver, S., Reed Houser, S., & Rao, J. (2024, October 15). Pilot Study Utilizing Wastewater-Based Epidemiology to Determine Presence of Gram-Negative Enterobacterial Targets in Southwest Virginia Sewersheds [Poster presentation]. Infectious Diseases Society of America Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
Hannah Karp, Elizabeth Nowak, Gillian Su, Nihan Akguc, Michael Schulz, Nammalwar Sriranganathan, Jayasimha Rao. (2024, October 15). Novel Antisense Wide-Ragne Peptide Nucleic Acids Coated on Polystyrene Plates to Prevent Bacterial Biofilm. [Poster presentation]. Infectious Diseases Society of America Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
Gillian Su, Hannah Karp, Jayasimha Rao, Elizabeth Nowak, Nammalwar Sriranganathan, Michael Schulz. (2024, October 15). Gentamicin-Releasing Urinary Catheter for Preventing Catheter-Related Infections. [Poster presentation]. Infectious Diseases Society of America Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
Reed Houser, S., Rogers, R. L., Stevens, J., Lehrer, L. W., Tolliver, S., & Rao, J. (2024, September 19). Pilot Study Utilizing Wastewater-Based Epidemiology in Southwest Virginia Sewersheds [Oral presentation]. Virginia Public Health Association Conference, Richmond, VA.

Recent Publications

Sahanapriya Gubbewad, Jayashima Rao, Meenakshi S Devarmani, Sujatha Ingin Shetty, Chandrakanth Kelmani R. Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis: Assessment of sociodemographic characteristics among the reproductive age women. Indian Journal of Applied and Pure Biology. Accepted for the publication in Volume 40 number 02, May 2025 (IJAPB).
Lia Willow Lehrer, Anna Marie Lewis, Susan Tolliver, Marcia Degen, Rekha Singh, Sara Houser, Jayasimha Rao. An Evaluation of a New Rapid qPCR Test for the Detection of 2019-Novel Coronavirus Nucleocapsid (N1) Gene in Wastewater in Roanoke and Salem VA Sewersheds. Journal of Water and Health (2024) 22 (8): 1419–1428, doi: 10.2166/wh.2024.085.
Peter Vikesland, Ayella Maile-Moskowitz, Connor Brown, Monjura Rumi, Nazifa Moumi, Haniyyah Majeed, Carla Finkielstein, Alessandro Ceci, Raul Gonzalez, Kang Xia, Lauren McDaniel, Anthony Baffoe-Bonnie, Jayasimha Rao, Liqing Zhang, Amy Pruden. Can Wastewater-based Surveillance Relate Antimicrobial Use to Resistance Patterns? Metagenomic Analysis of Two Neighboring Treatment Plants, 31 May 2024, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4420801/v1]
Binuk Samarasinghe, Kaung Lin, Christopher Blankenship, Thomas Ausburne, Kathleen Linesman, Jayasimha Rao, and Chet Bhatta. (2023). The absence of nosemosis in eastern bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) from regions of Roanoke and New River Valley. Banisteria, the natural history of Virginia. 57: 127–136. https://virginianaturalhistorysociety.com/2023/07/11/number-57-2023/.
Ryan Morse, Christopher Childers, Elizabeth Nowak, Jayasimha Rao and Eli Vlaisavljevich. Catheter-Based Medical Device Biofilm Ablation Using Histotripsy: A Parameter Study. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, 2023-09-01, Volume 49, Issue 9, Pages 2152-2159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2023.06.010
Jayasimha Rao, Nicholas K. Stornelli, Nathan A. Everson, Lauren F. McDaniel, Mariana Gomez De La Espriella, Jason R. Faulhaber, S. Michelle Todd, Kevin K. Lahmers, and Roderick V. Jensen. (2022). Complete Genome Sequence of Providencia stuartii CMC-4104, isolated from a human splenic abscess, containing multiple copies of NDM-1 and PER-1 carbapenem resistance genes. Microbiol Resour Announc. Aug 4;e0051422. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00514-22. Infectious Diseases, Carilion Clinic and the Fralin Life Science Institute, VT, and FDA CVM Vet-LIRN Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Program Infrastructure Grant

2024 - Abstracts Accepted for National Conferences

Hannah Karp, Elizabeth Nowak, Gillian Su, Nihan Akguc Col, Michael Schulz, Nammalwar Sriranganathan, and Jayasimha Rao. Novel Antisense Wide-Range Peptide Nucleic Acids Coated on Polystyrene Plates to Prevent Bacterial Biofilm. IDWeek 2024, October 16-19, 2024, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. Poster Session Title: Novel Agents. Friday October 18, 2024 Time: 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Pacific Time Location: Hall J & K. Submission ID: 1804748
Gillian Su, Hannah Karp, Michael Schulz, Jayasimha Rao, Elizabeth Nowak, Nammalwar Sriranganathan, Gentamicin-releasing polydopamine catheter coating to prevent urinary catheter-related infections. IDWeek 2024, October 16-19, 2024, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. Poster Session Title: Novel Agents. Friday October 18, 2024, Time: 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Pacific Time and Location: Hall J & K. Submission ID: 1829299H.
Lia W. Lehrer, Kathleen Linsenman, Troy Stallard, Lauren Luther, Kaylin Young, Nihita Kamireddy, Susan A. Tolliver, Sara Reed Houser, and Jayasimha Rao. Pilot Study Utilizing Wastewater-Based Epidemiology to Determine Presence of Gram-Negative Enterobacterial Targets in Southwest Virginia Sewersheds. IDWeek 2024, October 16-19, 2024, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. Poster Session Title: Public Health, Friday October 18, 2024, Time: 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Pacific Time and Location: Hall J & K Submission ID: 1825668.
Justin Howe, Ryan Morse, Jayasimha Rao, Eli Vlaisavljevich. Histotripsy Treatment of Biofilms on Orthopedic Implants: In Vitro Feasibility Study using Cobalt-Chrome and Titanium Surgical Implant Materials. Histotripsy Symposium 2024.

Congratulations to VTCSOM student, Lili Ladner, whose work in the BSRL is included in Endothelial deletion of EPH receptor A4 alters single-cell profile and Tie2/Akap12 signaling to preserve blood–brain barrier integrity, October 5, 2023,120 (41) e2204700120: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2204700120

Oncology Clinical Trial Improves Disease-Free Survival

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:54:16 -0500

Amgen announced new data demonstrating that adding BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab) to chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard risk pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The data are from a Phase 3 study (AALL1731) conducted by the Children’s Oncology Group. Dr. Glenn Edwards, the Section Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology was the Children's Oncology Group's Principal Investigator for Carilion Clinic. Dr. Edwards has over 30 years of clinical experience and is the PI of numerous pediatric oncology clinical trials. The results from AALL1731 were simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine and were presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego. COG is an NCI-funded cooperative group and compromised of over 200 member institutions. The vast majority of COG institutions activated and enrolled on AALL1731.

The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) – COG (childrensoncologygroup.org), a member of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. COG unites over 10,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 200 leading children’s hospitals, universities, and cancer centers across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia in the fight against childhood cancer. Today, more than 80% of the 15,000 children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States are cared for at COG member institutions. Research performed by COG institutions over the past 50 years has transformed childhood cancer from a virtually incurable disease to one with a combined 5-year survival rate of 86%. COG’s mission is to improve the cure rate and outcomes for all children with cancer.

Family & Community Medicine Research Group: NAPCRG Conference

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:49:39 -0500

The Family and Community Medicine Research Group (FCMRG) had 10 abstracts accepted to the 52nd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) in Quebec City, Canada in November. Congratulations to FCM Research Coordinator, Emily Cox, MPH, MS, RD, CHES, for being selected as top 10 in her submission category.

FCMRG:

John Epling, MD, MSEd, Vice Chair for Research and Population Health: Multimodal practice change intervention utilizing population health managers (PHMs) to reduce utilization for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (poster)
Michelle Rockwell, PhD, RD, Director of Research, FCM: Patient experiences with sludge in the colorectal cancer process (oral presentation); De-implementation of high-risk NSAIDs in primary care (poster)
Beth Polk, MD, FAAFP, dipABLM: Enhancing and Evaluating a Lifestyle Medicine Clinic in Southwest Virginia (poster)
Emily Cox, MPH, MS, RD, CHES, Health Services Research Coordinator: Patient Perceptions of a Lifestyle Medicine Clinic in Southwest Virginia (poster, presentation)

VTCSOM student mentees:

Matthew Vinson (M4): The Effectiveness of a Theory-Driven Educational Video in Reducing High-Risk Over-The-Counter Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Use (poster)
Nancy Wu, MS (M4): Evaluating the Implementation of a Community Health Worker Program and its Impacts on Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Outcomes in Primary Care Settings Using RE-AIM (poster)
Brianna Chang, MSc (M3): Interactions of Multiple Chronic Conditions and Sludge on Treatment Burden and Delayed/Skipped Colorectal Cancer Screenings (poster)
Isaiah Yim (M3): Evaluating the Consequences of Switching from Long-Term Opioids to Long-Term NSAIDs in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (poster)

TBMH student mentee:

Jamie Turner, MPH: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis of Opioid Prescribing for Acute Pain During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Virginia (poster)

Enhancing Patient Access to Research

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:19:02 -0500

Research, along with patient care and education, is one of the three pillars supporting our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve. Moreover, as an organization, it is imperative that research is conducted to the highest ethical standards and that all patients have access to research opportunities. Presently, most patients learn about research only from their personal health care provider. If not informed by their health care provider, they must navigate our website and determine their suitability for participation using their own judgment and knowledge of research opportunities. This scenario disproportionately skews research participation toward the most informed individuals and/or those under the care of physicians who actively seek research opportunities for their patients.

Recently, a group of stakeholders from Research, Compliance, Health Analytics, Legal, and Marketing collaborated to develop specific research language for our general consent-to-treat form. This language informs patients that they may be contacted for voluntary participation in research studies conducted by Carilion Clinic health care providers. Patients will have the option to “opt out” of these requests if they wish. Opting out will have no effect on their current treatment or their relationship with their physicians. Additionally, their physicians may continue to discuss research opportunities through the standard patient-physician relationship.

To implement this new paradigm, the team developed consent language, a process for documenting opt-out preferences in EPIC, and a call line/email inbox to address patient questions. Both English and Spanish versions of the consent form were created. The team is also developing a communication strategy for the broader community, utilizing a variety of platforms.

In summary, stakeholders from various functional areas collaborated to thoughtfully draft a plan ensuring that research opportunities are accessible to all patients, regardless of barriers such as physical location, socioeconomic status, or their provider’s awareness of available studies. The team also worked through the necessary approval processes to bring this initiative to fruition. While the foundational aspects of the project have been accomplished, the team is committed to introducing this paradigm strategically and diligently to ensure patients, the community, and health care providers are informed and engaged.

A social media campaign will include the message below, to be posted on the Carilion Clinic Facebook page, as well as a YouTube video and FAQ.

Your health matters, and so does your voice in research. Our Research Outreach team contacts people who’ve received care from us about research studies they may be eligible to take part in. This gives everyone in our community a chance to be represented in research. If you don’t want to be contacted by our Research Outreach team, you can opt out by calling 540-224-6744 or emailing optoutresearch@carilionclinic.org. Opting out does not prevent your healthcare team from talking with you about research opportunities that may be relevant to your care or health condition.