Research in Medicine
A continuum of explorations
Medical science has been continuously developing since the ancient times as a result of human curiosity to understand the human body, and the urge to save a fellow human from his or her suffering. As science and technology advance, more and more methods of delivery of healthcare are introduced which soon become “standard of care”. Anything below that standard becomes suboptimal or outdated! That in a nutshell, is why research is inevitable in medical science.
When I realized the fact that research is one of the pillars of advancing medicine, I wondered why so little is being done in our region although the opportunities are plentiful! If certain codes of ethics are followed and transparency is maintained, research can be beneficial to everyone. Not only does it prove to be beneficial for the world in the long term, it can even be beneficial for the participating individuals. For example, a patient suffering from a disease with no proven treatment might benefit from an investigative medicine which might actually prove to be efficacious, and would be provided free of cost. The landmark STR1VE trial studied one of the costliest medicines on the planet, Onasemnogene abeparvovec priced at about 2.1 million USD per infusion, and produced medicine for an otherwise non-curable disease, spinal muscular atrophy type 1. How many of the participants could otherwise afford such a costly medication!
Well, the liking for research in medicine started blooming inside me when my DM thesis research work was nearing completion. And I carried forward that proclivity into my career, although this time, playing a different role as the chief guide. And my investigator getting rewarded in an international platform was simply blissful! Time passes and the role changes. But the strife is perpetual.
Working in an academic hospital nurtures that research potential in a doctor. Nevertheless, I think non-academic hospitals should also engage in ethical research practices and encourage critical evaluation and analysis of research articles to promote evidence-based medicine.