Empowering patients on clinical trials
In her 25-year career in clinical trials, Linda Pallot, a registered nurse, has worked on trials in neurology, gene therapy and vascular surgery. What has struck her repeatedly has been the benefits they bring. Beyond the innovation, she has always enjoyed seeing what positive outcomes can occur when patients consent to participate in a clinical trial. “I love that trials provide new treatment options. They have the potential to improve health when no other treatments are available, and participating in a clinical trial can help patients learn how to better manage their health and hopefully improve it,” she says. Linda is currently a Senior Clinical Trial Coordinator in Vascular Surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital. She has observed that young participants in trials take a keen interest in their new treatments. “I like that we are educating them about their health.” Older participants, who are less familiar with clinical trials, are equally eager to participate, especially when it provides them with specialised care and more prompt treatment. Throughout her career, which has included stints at other hospitals, Linda has witnessed Multiple Sclerosis (MS) treatments reaching
It can take around 10 years to demonstrate a treatment being tested in a clinical trial is safe and effective. “In my clinical trial career, if a treatment does make it to market, it’s incredibly exciting to think that you have been a small part of a process that could help so many people around the world,” she says. The department currently runs trials involving new devices and conducts research into improving surgical practices. Clinical trials provide a variety of health benefits. Each participant’s journey is unique, offering access to innovative treatments, expert medical attention, and careful monitoring by dedicated research teams. “What more could you possibly want when no other treatment is available?” Linda encourages anyone presented with a research opportunity to embrace it and discover its potential.
the market thanks to clinical trials. She has also managed treatments for gene therapies for haemophilia and thalassemia, which continue today.
Debbie Knagge, Linda Pallot and Clare Mundell
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