Page 8 - CRM Bulletin Issue 15

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Dr Can you tell us when and how did you first got involved in study coordinators, research pharmacists and the CRO, as well
as those in the office and colleagues who co-manage the
clinical research?
children in the wards. I define “good” as someone who shares
I was a Houseman working in West Cumberland Hospital, the common goal (i.e. to complete the study safely), committed,
Whitehaven, United Kingdom. It was during a post-call ward and passionate about doing a study.
Toh round with my Consultant Surgeon, where he questioned the
usefulness of doing an abdominal x-ray on patients presented What is your motivation behind conducting clinical trials?
to A&E with abdominal pain. I then took up the challenge to help
finding an answer to this research question. I spent the It is the curiosity about “why?” and “can things be done better?”
following two weeks in the medical record office, reviewing case that always keep the clinicians moving forward, because we
records. Thinking back, the “study” could have been done a lot always have more patients that will come to us with the same
Teck better. However, I was proud because I remember I was the problems. Of course, to be part of the world leading clinicians
only Houseman then given the opportunity to present my that contribute towards advanced healthcare make all of us
finding in the hospital grand round; and the hospital proud.
subsequently reviewed the guideline on abdominal x rays.
What one word best describes your career as a clinical
How has a clinical trial changed your practice and researcher / investigator? Why?
management of patient care? Colourful. No single study is the same, and no single patient is
Hock There are many variations in clinical practice, and with the the same. There is always excitement when a study starts,
experience, I have certainly improved my clinical skills over the comes to the closure and when the results are revealed. There
years. However, it is the knowledge and skills acquired during is plenty of opportunities to meet a variety of people during
evidence-based, doing no harm, balancing the risk and benefits juniors are always as fun as learning from the senior. That
Paediatrician and Head of Clinical Research Centre, the training and doing of clinical research that taught me to be training, presentation and scientific meetings. Coaching the
Sibu Hospital when I manage a patient. Being involved in the clinical makes life as a clinician more colourful. It is not just the routine
research, I also gain the ability to appraise research finding of seeing patients in the clinic and doing ward round day in day
more accurately (often that means, to “reject” the so-called out until one retires.
Before I joined Sibu Hospital, I have worked in “evidence”), and to apply that in general patient care. Other
the United Kingdom, Singapore and Australia types of research are useful in clinical practice too. For In the field of clinical research, where do you wish to see
for a number of years as a paediatric trainee. example, good epidemiological and surveillance studies Malaysia in the next 10 years?
Besides general paediatrics, I also work in the provide the clinicians solid data on current and real problems
areas of developmental paediatrics and that are faced locally (hence, not just “textbook says”). Health More clinical researchers / study teams that can conduct clinical
community child health. I am an Adjunct system research and behavioural studies, although not having trials that can make a significant change in patient / healthcare
Professor for SEGi University Medical School direct impacts on individual patients, they provide us good globally. With this, there shall be more trials conducted safely,
as well as the Special Olympics Asia Pacific value in overall patients care in the hospital and clinics by and with quality. It requires our country laying down
Regional Clinical Advisor in Health improving our policies. infrastructure, policy, environment and resources to achieve
Promotion®, Vice President for the National this.
Early Childhood Intervention Council, Council You were recently announced as the Top Recruiter for a
Member for Sarawak State Council for Early paediatric study (RESPIRE). Can you share with us what it What changes would you like to see being made by the
Childhood Education and Development, takes to ensure successful recruitment of a clinical trial? policy makers to create a more conducive ecosystem for
National Assessor for the Baby-Friendly the conduct of clinical trials in Malaysia?
Hospital Initiative and Secretary of the It was a “difficult” in patient study, because of short recruitment
Association for Children with Special Needs window period, meaning to say the study team often have to Better distribution of resources (human and funding). At the
Sibu. Besides scientific papers, I have also recruit and perform study procedure outside of office hours, till moment, there are hospitals / centres with little manpower (and
published parent-teacher handbooks on ADHD, midnights. Doing study procedures (on top of routine care resources), overloaded works but keen clinicians / researchers.
language development and breastfeeding, as provided) on these young infants have extra challenges – we Unfortunately, the reverse is also true, which lead to an
well as children reading / colouring books, and often had to rethink the risks and benefits of doing study on inefficient system (and sometime wastage). The good clinicians
books on Chinese literary prose / short stories. these young infants at the bedside. / researchers need to be recognised and given better resources
I received The Outstanding Young Malaysian and support, not only to conduct clinical trials, but to guide the
Award in 2010, and Special Education Network However, a good team is the crucial successful factor for this juniors. It is tomorrow’s clinicians / researchers that make a
in Asia Advocacy Award in 2018. kind of study. People involved include the co-investigators, country successful.

8 l www.clinicalresearch.my