Clinical Trials for COVID-19

Clinical Trials Accelerate Progress

Clinical trials are the best way to find effective therapies for patients as fast as possible. In the context of the rapidly expanding COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly providing answers is an essential priority as more and more patients need treatment.

At times, there has been a rush to deliver treatments to patients before we have good evidence about how well those treatments work or how safe they are. While this is understandable, this approach ultimately delays the process of understanding whether these treatments work and are safe.

The fastest way to get effective, safe treatment to patients who need it is to use carefully designed clinical trials.

Clinical Trials Are Safe

Several key features of clinical trials ensure they are safe for patients who participate. First, all clinical trials undergo a comprehensive review by experts to ensure that the study treatment can help patients and provide evidence that it is safe. Second, clinical trials do not deny any patient therapy that is known to be effective. While some patients in clinical trials receive the study treatment, and others might receive a placebo, all patients in our clinical trials receive state-of-the-art treatment. Third, clinical trials set up independent expert committees to monitor progress as the trial is ongoing.

If there is evidence that the treatment being tested is causing harm or determined not to be effective, the organization will stop the trial.

Clinical Trials Are a Team Effort

Clinical trials represent a team effort between doctors, researchers, and patients. Patients make clinical trials successful and are the number one priority. By including a broad range of patients of different ages, races, and medical conditions, we can make sure that we understand what works best for all of our patients.

Without any of these team members playing their role, trials would not be possible. And we would not be able to improve care for COVID-19 and other severe diseases.

At Emory, we are committed to partnering with our patients in every way. We work together to advance treatment for our patients and the world. As a patient in a leading academic health system, there may be opportunities for you to participate in COVID-19 clinical trials. From testing vaccines and other preventative therapies to testing treatments for people at home and in the hospital, you can join the fight.

Together, we can move the needle on this disease.

More Clinical Trials Are Still Needed

Just because we now have authorized vaccines, it does not mean that the work of clinical trials for COVID-19 is over or any less important. We still need clinical trials testing additional vaccines in order to have an adequate supply of vaccine for everyone. We still need effective treatments for people who get sick with COVID-19 to prevent serious illness and to improve care for people who do become severely ill. At Emory, we continue to lead the charge in these efforts in partnership with you, our patients.

Neal Dickert, MD, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology. He also holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health and is a senior faculty fellow at the Emory Center for Ethics. He also serves as associate program director for the cardiology fellowship program. Dr. Dickert received his MD from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and PhD from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Dickert is board-certified in cardiology and internal medicine. Clinically, Dr. Dickert practices in the Emory University Hospital and Atlanta VA Medical Center Cardiac Care Units. Dr. Dickert’s research focuses on ethical issues relevant to cardiology practice and clinical research.