Research Studies
When Walker was first diagnosed I remember thinking to myself, “what doctor will we see when we get back to Colorado? Why couldn’t we be in Boston near the Joslin Center?!”. It was Walker’s Pediatric Endocrinologist, at Maine Med, who mentioned how fortunate we were to live in Denver. He said “Denver has some of the best Endocrinologists in the country, and they’re at the forefront of research studies.” I really had no clue until our first visit just how amazing the Barbara Davis Center is in diabetes care.
The kids’ doctor at the BDC is incredible. All the nurses and support staff at the BDC are amazing. There’s also an entire department devoted to Research Studies and Clinical Trials. I knew nothing about this until a couple years ago, when Walker and I were invited to take part in a Continuous Glucose Monitor study.
In this particular study they were trying to determine the stress load on caregivers of T1D kids, and whether or not a CGM increased or decreased this stress. The study lasted 6 months, involved a few extra visits to the Barbara Davis Center for meetings, and a couple Skype interviews for me with a staff psychologist. We got free sensors and transmitters for the duration of the study, and after it was all done we were allowed to keep the CGM. I was hooked on Research Studies, and told them to call us anytime!
Last week we were invited to participate in another Clinical Trial. This one involves the final testing for a new closed loop system. A closed loop is similar to the pump Marshall has: the pump communicates with the CGM and dosing decisions are made instantly. Many of these new systems can still be a little finicky, and it’s never a perfect solution. The human endocrine system is just too well designed to be replicated technologically. It’s at least something, however, to help ease the rollercoaster ride that’s often involved in daily blood sugar management.
Aside from the selfish reasons for loving these studies, I also value the work that’s being done for the greater good. Anytime you hear on the news or read in a journal the advancements that are taking place in T1D care, the amazing people at BDC typically have their hand in it. And those of us who are fortunate enough to call the Barbara Davis Center our home get to reap the immediate benefits.
