Translating Gastroenterology Research into Clinical Practice

An estimated 60 to 70 million Americans suffer from gut-related gastrointestinal issues, and the number is growing. Gastrointestinal disorders, unlike many other chronic conditions, can be more complex and difficult to identify and treat often due to symptoms that cross over or manifest as non-GI conditions. Because each patient is genetically unique so is the way in which these diseases present themselves. Finding the best therapy or combination of therapies can take time, testing and active monitoring.

The good news is that the field of GI is ripe with innovative and exciting discoveries for diagnostic options and transformative therapies. Two cutting-edge examples are microbiome-based and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) therapies. FMT, in particular, holds great promise for treating an extensive array of conditions, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders (e.g., obesity, diabetes), and certain gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Furthermore, ongoing research is focused on IBD and Metabolic-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) / Metabolic Associated Steatoliver Disease (MASLD), aiming to uncover new treatment pathways and improve patient outcomes. These efforts are paving the way for more personalized and effective treatments, enhancing the quality of life for patients suffering from these challenging conditions.

This blog will provide actionable insights into how busy GI practices can stay abreast of the latest research and therapies and implement them in their offices.

The Clinician’s Role in Research Interpretation

It is every gastroenterologist’s responsibility to stay current on the latest GI literature. The best way to do this is through online platforms, including the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), the GI Alliance, and others.

Many professional gastroenterology organizations like those above offer state, regional, and/or national conferences. Although it is challenging to break away from a busy practice, the information and resources gained through educational conferences can pay significant dividends for the practice and its patients. Likewise, there are numerous professional societies that provide opportunities for professional networking. Choosing those that offer the most value can help narrow the scope and bring just the right balance of education and practice.

Advancing gastroenterology research and leveraging clinical trials is vital for patients and the health of the practice. Identifying clinical trial opportunities can be accomplished through databases and registries offered by organizations like Gastroenterology Research of America and ClinicalTrials.gov, as well as academic and medical centers like Northwestern University and the Mayo Clinic. Another great resource is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which offers a comprehensive database of clinical trial registries across the country.

For gastroenterologists looking for opportunities to conduct their own research, ( could we say distinct or personal research efforts) most of the organizations mentioned above offer grants from tens of thousands of dollars to more than a million. Over the last 30 years, the ACG has funded 745 investigators with more than $30 million awarded.

Communicating Research to Patients

While clinical trials can be life-changing for patients, they can also cause anxiety because of the many unknowns inherent in participation. Therefore, gastroenterologists must find ways to clearly communicate with patients in an easy-to-understand way that addresses their concerns. Communication should also include what to expect from the trial to help them weigh the potential risks against the possible rewards.

One of the most effective ways to communicate with patients is through analogies and visual aids. The NIH offers evidence-based strategies that can help. While these strategies were initially intended for pediatric oncology, they can be applied to all specialties. The strategies are as follows:

• Provide an empowering environment by inviting the prospective participant to select who will attend this discussion.
• Increase your prospective participant’s ability to focus on the discussion by holding the meeting in a private location without interruptions.
• Communicate respect and the importance of this meeting by acknowledging trauma of diagnosis (if appropriate) and empathizing with emotional reactions.
• Simplify information by avoiding medical jargon and a laundry list of medications and side effects. Summarize often, and repeat important points.
• Provide a pen and paper to take notes and write down questions, invite them to make comments or ask questions at any time, and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings. Tell them that all questions are good questions.
• Stress the importance of information-seeking and elicit questions in an open-ended manner. (“What questions do you have?”)
• Avoid interrupting.
• Check that questions were answered to your patients’ satisfaction.
• Talk about how disease treatments have improved over time due to clinical research and participation of patients in clinical trials.
• Avoid pushing the recommendation of clinical trial, but if asked, respond accordingly.

Additional strategies and disclosure recommendations can be found on the NIH website.

Overcoming Barriers to Implementation

It can be challenging to find the time to stay current on the latest GI research and therapies and to encourage patients to participate in clinical trials. The first step is to identify these time constraints. Once identified, steps can be taken to address these barriers.

For example, to implement more clinical trials into their practice, gastroenterologists should consider hiring a clinical trial manager, research coordinator, resident, or medical student to help take on some of the responsibilities and minimize administrative tasks. If hiring staff isn’t possible, existing staff can be educated to share in the responsibilities. This education should include the benefits of participation in advancing GI research and supporting patient outcomes.

Putting it All Together

There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the gastroenterology field of medicine. Innovation and cutting-edge therapies hold the potential to bring life-changing improvements for patients living with a GI condition. By leveraging top industry organizations, educational opportunities, clinical trial registries, and specialized staff, gastroenterologists are better able to stay up to date on the latest research and put it to work in their practice. GI Alliance can help.

GI Alliance is a majority-owned, physician-led industry leader in gastroenterology practices. With GI Alliance, gastroenterologists benefit from the latest research and clinical trial opportunities without having to add more staff or additional hours to their day.

At GI Alliance, patients who qualify and enroll in a clinical trial receive personalized care from our leading-edge staff of digestive disease experts. Each clinical trial has specific qualification criteria. GI Alliance clinical research staff will discuss specific requirements with every applicant. Those who qualify receive cutting-edge medications and treatments and highly personalized care tailored to their lifestyle, typically at no cost. As a result, clinical trial participants often receive more frequent and individualized treatments than are likely obtained elsewhere.

Learn how GI Alliance can help your practice and your patients benefit from the latest research and clinical trial opportunities.