Building Successful Clinical Trial Programs in Neuromuscular Medicine: Insights from Private Practice Experts

In this AANEM podcast, Dr. Kelly Gwathmey interviews Dr. Aziz Shaibani and Dr. Yessar Hussain, two experienced neuromuscular specialists who run successful private practice clinical research programs in Texas. They discuss the motivations for conducting clinical trials, including expanding treatment options for patients and contributing to medical advancement. The experts share valuable insights about building research infrastructure, recruiting patients, managing competing trials, and balancing clinical duties with research responsibilities. They emphasize the importance of having well-trained research coordinators, efficient databases, and proper facility space. Both physicians stress the need for more clinical trial training in medical education and encourage young physicians to enter the field, noting that while only 5% of physicians participate in clinical trials, there are over 200,000 trials currently listed in the USA, presenting significant opportunities for new researchers.