HJAR Jan/Feb 2021

50 JAN / FEB 2021 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS DIALOGUE COLUMN UROLOGY WHEN practices have centers dedicated to clinical research, they are demonstrating their commitment to clinical excellence and innovation, both present and future. The medical care we provide today is only made possible because of the dedicated physicians, researchers, scientists, medical professionals and patients who have par- ticipated in research studies decades earlier. The insights gained from previous studies have changed the way we practice medicine and treat patients today. Conditions that were once life-inhibiting and life-threatening are now easily treated because of these histori- cal advances. Improving Patient Care Research is essential in healthcare to stay at the cusp of medical innovation and patient-centered care. Being part of clinical trials lets our patients know that we are com- mitted to improving medicine and providing the best care in our state. Having clinical tri- als as an option for our patients only adds to our clinical practice and patient-focused care, allowing patients to consider new options for their own plan of care. It is no secret that many Arkansans are faced with immense financial burden. By hav- ing clinical trials available, we can provide patients with treatment options that they might not have had access to otherwise. Our physicians and staff are also well acquainted with the most recent medical innovations as they become more commonplace in practice. Many of our physicians have chosen to pio- neer the latest research in urological care, championing new treatments within their practice. This gives our patients confidence in putting their lives in our care, knowing that we are going to have their best interest in mind at every turn. By having a dedicated research center, they know that they will have access to the latest in medical treatment, de- spite their personal burdens. Improving Patient Care Through Research Richard D’Anna, MD Arkansas Urology Improving patient care should be the ultimate goal of any practice, but one aspect of patient care that can often get overlooked is clinical research.