The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) conducts a wide range of research to help improve the lives of veterans. As part of this effort, they offer clinical trials for patients.
What is the VA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD)?
The ORD is leading veteran healthcare innovation. This division conducts a wide array of research activities across the nation, spanning clinical trials, mental health, prosthetics, and more. It makes sure that these research projects translate into better care for veterans.
Read MoreWhat is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments or strategies on people. They help determine if these treatments are safe and effective. Usually a trial will involve several phases, starting from small initial tests and gradually moving to larger, more comprehensive ones. The VA conducts clinical trials to improve healthcare for veterans. These trials test new treatments, drugs, and medical procedures. The goal is to find better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat health issues specific to veterans.“Very often clinical trials include the standard treatments plus something else, and that gives you access to new treatments that you wouldn’t be able to access had you not entered a clinical trial,” Dr. Matthew Rettig, the chief of hematology-oncology at the VA Medical Center in Greater Los Angeles, told SurvivorNet.
Who should enroll in a clinical trial?
You may be a good candidate for a clinical trial if:
- You have a specific type or stage of cancer that matches what the trail is studying and…
- Also meet the specific health requirements of the trial, like overall health, age, and previous treatments
- You are not responding well to standard treatments
- Have a condition where the potential benefits of the new treatment outweigh the risks
What are the benefits of enrolling in a clinical trial?
Enrolling in a clinical trial for cancer gives you access to new treatments. You also get to contribute to medical research in a way that benefits others.
“Clinical trials can be scary,” Dr. Rettig says. “There’s the concern that you’re just being used as a Guinea pig, but that really is not the case. We know that those who enter clinical trials do better than patients that don’t.”
Click here if you are interested in being a part of one of the VA’s clinical trials.
What type of clinical research is available at the VA?
Clinical research involves studying new treatments, drugs, and therapies in clinical settings like hospitals, clinics, or doctor’s offices, to determine their safety and effectiveness.
Doing research in a clinical setting plays a crucial role by directly enhancing patient care. The VA uses what they find from these studies to advance treatments for veterans. Key areas of their clinical research include:
- PTSD and Mental Health: The VA is always trying to improve the mental health of veterans. Studies in this area focus on making treatment more effective including psychotherapy, medication, and approaches that combine traditional and alternative medicine.
- Chronic Pain Management: Many veterans live with chronic pain. The VA actively researches alternative pain management techniques beyond traditional methods. The goal is to reduce opioid use and develop effective, holistic treatments like acupuncture, physical therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
- Cardiovascular Health: Another vital area of clinical research is cardiovascular health, particularly for veterans with a history of heart conditions. The VA conducts studies on heart disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. This includes research on new medications, lifestyle interventions, and advanced surgical techniques.
“Very often, clinical trials include the standard treatments plus something else, and that gives you access to new treatments that you wouldn’t be able to access had you not entered a clinical trial.” Dr. Mattew Rettig told SurvivorNet.
Veterans eligible for these clinical trials contribute to the advancement of medical science. For the most current information on VA clinical trials and enrollment opportunities, veterans are encouraged to visit the VA’s clinical trials page.
What type of laboratory research does the VA do?
The VA’s laboratory research, in partnership with top universities, pushes medical science forward. Lab studies, unlike clinical trials, usually use cells, body tissues, or animals rather than human subjects. They focus on understanding disease process, developing new technologies, and finding new treatments.
Key VA lab research areas include:
- Regenerative Medicine: VA researchers are exploring the potential of regenerative medicine, which includes things like stem cell therapies to treat injuries and chronic diseases. Stem cells are basic cells that can become many different types of cells in the body, playing a key role in the body’s ability to heal and regenerate. This research holds the promise of significant breakthroughs in the way we treat conditions that are currently considered irreversible.
- Prosthetic Development: The VA has made amazing progress in creating advanced, artificial body part known as prosthetics. High-tech prosthetics enhance functionality and comfort for injured veterans and veterans who have had an amputation.
- Neurological Research: The VA is also conducting extensive research into brain diseases, particularly focusing on conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Military veterans face a higher risk of brain conditions due to factors like head injuries and exposure to harmful chemicals.
What COVID-19 research is the VA doing?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the VA has been a driving force in understanding and responding to the virus. They’ve tackled data analysis, run clinical trials for treatments and vaccines, and explored the long-term effects of the illness. One of their major efforts is the COVID-19 Observational Research Collaboratory, a project that addresses the ongoing health challenges caused by COVID-19.
Additionally, the VA’s Million Veteran Program has played a big role in America’s COVID-19 fight. This program has helped get a better understanding of the virus and shaped effective tactics to curb its spread and impact.
What additional research programs and services does the VA offer?
The VA’s commitment to veteran care extends beyond clinical trials and laboratory research to include additional research programs and services designed to meet the unique needs of veterans.
These additional research areas highlight the VA’s commitment to addressing the full spectrum of veteran health and well-being. Other areas of research include:
- Telehealth and Remote Care Services: The VA’s telehealth initiatives are a key area of ongoing research and development. They provide remote consultations through a computer or smartphone to allow veterans to talk to healthcare providers from anywhere. The program has done a lot to increase access to medical services and improve quality of care.
- Geriatric and Aging Research: As the veteran population ages, they face unique healthcare challenges. The VA is focusing on geriatric research — the care and treatment of older adults — to understand age-related conditions and improve long-term approaches for veterans in their golden years.
- Rehabilitation and Recovery Research: At the VA, rehabilitation research goes beyond physical recovery to include psychological and emotional healing. The agency is actively exploring new methods and technologies to improve recovery outcomes for veterans with diverse injuries and health issues.
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