The Future of Clinical Research

The following commentary, written by David Robertson of Vanderbilt University, is based on the Presidential Address he delivered at the inaugural meeting of the Association for Patient-Oriented Research (APOR), held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in April 1999. Dr. Robertson's views on the current crisis in clinical investigation are shared by many of us. He eloquently catalogs the problems faced by those attempting to develop and sustain careers whose centerpiece is human experimentation. These are issues that concern every member of the American Federation for Medical Research (AFMR), whether spending the day at the beach or in the clinic. One can argue about whether establishing a new association for patient-oriented research is necessary, but the fact that this group of esteemed academicians felt the need to take this step speaks volumes. I hope we can all benefit from their wisdom. AFMR will continue to fight for the interests of all physician-scientists, regardless of the type of research they conduct. Clinical research advocacy has become a priority for AFMR in the past few years. We were the major force behind the development and introduction of the Clinical Research Enhancement Act, which most believe stimulated the National Institutes of Health to establish the K30, K23, and K24 Awards referred to by Dr. Robertson. Together with APOR and the General Clinical Research Center Program Directors, we have established Clinical Research 2001, a joint meeting to be held in March 2001, which will bring together hundreds of clinical researchers to share scientific advances and begin to address many of the critical issues outlined by Dr. Robertson. AFMR continues to be an organization looking to the future, and the clinical investigator will be an important part of the future. Charles Flexner, MD President, AFMR