4 Ways Clinical Research Partnerships Can Elevate Urology Private Practices

In the U.S., the incidence of urologic conditions affects a significant portion of the population, with one in every five Americans grappling with these health issues. Among these, urologic cancers (bladder, kidney, prostate) stand out as the most frequently diagnosed conditions, with prostate cancer ranking as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. This stark reality underscores the urgent need to expand clinical research to identify therapeutic solutions that can enhance the quality of life for those living with urologic conditions, and potentially save the lives of cancer patients.

Clinical trials have long served as the foundation to launch groundbreaking drugs and treatment modalities that can improve health outcomes for individuals burdened by urologic conditions. What has become increasingly apparent is the pivotal role that private practice urologists can play in advancing and accelerating clinical trial research.

At ObjectiveHealth, we believe in the transformative power of uniting private urology practices and clinical trials. This convergence represents an extraordinary opportunity to dramatically enhance urologic care so patients – as the primary beneficiaries – gain access to innovative treatments that offer new hope. Urologists, in turn, cultivate stronger patient relationships through their participation in trials. Additionally, trial sponsors improve their ability to meet and, optimistically, surpass their goals related to patient recruitment and retention.

Urologists are uniquely positioned in the medical profession to enhance clinical trials for two key reasons. First, they often provide care for a wide array of diseases and conditions that affect individuals of all genders and life stages. Second, beyond their surgical expertise, urologists also provide personalized, ongoing care that seeks to ameliorate the lives of patients grappling with chronic diseases and associated disorders.

ObjectiveHealth actively collaborates with urologist practices to facilitate the seamless integration of clinical research into their work with one important goal: To make patient participation a natural extension of the overall care process. This approach harmonizes patient care with the quest for medical advancement, propelling us toward an era of more effective and comprehensive urologic healthcare.

Our company partners with 70 urologists to provide patients with access to innovative treatments, therapies and diagnostic tools to improve health outcomes in various urologic disease states.

In our work with these professionals, we have found four ways that adding clinical trials can benefit their practices and patients:

1. Enhanced long-term patient care

Optimized screening and detection techniques, in conjunction with novel drugs and therapies, have instilled fresh optimism among cancer patients. A growing number of individuals now live longer, transforming cancer management into something akin to treating chronic disease. Prostate cancer care is an ideal example. Being involved in clinical research allows urology specialists to contribute to the advancement of better screening methodologies, predictive models and innovative treatments.

ObjectiveHealth’s participation in liver disease research exemplifies this progress. In a specific study in which our company played a key role, researchers identified screening protocols capable of better predicting which patients should undergo assessments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis, thus facilitating earlier treatment interventions. Notably, even patients who did not qualify for the trial, but received free Fibroscan assessments during the initial evaluation, gained enhanced insights into their overall liver health.

2. Improved targeted care through clinical trials

At ObjectiveHealth, we believe clinical trials are a potent tool for urologists to elevate patient care. By seamlessly integrating clinical trials into their practice, physicians can offer groundbreaking preventive tests and continuous care, while also strengthening patient bonds. Supported by a growing body of research, one notable meta-analysis investigated the relationship between patient trust in healthcare providers and health outcomes. The findings highlighted a robust link between long-term health improvements and high levels of patient trust in their doctors. Patients who placed substantial trust in their healthcare providers displayed more favorable health behaviors, fewer symptoms, a higher quality of life, and increased satisfaction with their treatment.

3. Broadened patient diversity in trails

Inclusive clinical trials are essential for ensuring research outcomes apply to a wide patient demographic. Such is the urgency that Congress enacted new legislation in early 2023 mandating the Food and Drug Administration to formulate a strategy for augmenting diversity in clinical trials.

Urology practices often can be a difference maker in recruiting of a diverse pool of trial participants, including those from historically underrepresented underserved and rural communities. By incorporating clinical trials as an integral component of a practice’s extended care, patients within these communities gain access to vital treatment plans, which have the potential to improve their health outcomes significantly.

4. Elevated reputation of the specialists and practice in the community

Clinical research has the potential to be a transformative force for urology clinics. Collaborating with trial sponsors provides physicians with a means to distinguish their urology practices within the communities they serve. This significance cannot be understated, given that a substantial majority (72%) of consumers consult online physician ratings and reviews when making their healthcare choices, as reported in the 2022 Healthcare Trends Report.

By integrating clinical trials as an ongoing facet of their practice, urology specialists showcase their unwavering commitment to delivering comprehensive care and staying at the forefront of cutting-edge scientific advancements. This commitment appeals to new patients and nurtures patient loyalty, bolstering the practice’s reputation as a healthcare frontrunner within the community. This dedication to actively engage in clinical research contributes substantially to enhancing a practice’s standing and impact in the local healthcare landscape.

The financial burden on the U.S. healthcare system of treating urologic disease and cancer will continue to rise due to a combination of an aging population and sustained price increases in drugs and therapies. Urologists who partner with ObjectiveHealth and our leading-edge clinical trial research and technology platform can play an important role in providing life-changing care to their patients and advancing new treatments to save millions of lives.