Clinical trials and student doctors

This post is completely my opinion. I expect many will disagree. And I welcome that.

I have always been the patient, albeit a sporadic one before, that had no problem with student doctors, residents, nurses, etc coming in during my appointments.   I was this type of patient long, long before I realized I was destined to be a teacher, so this is nothing new.  I don't mind that there is someone there to learn from me. What mattered to me was that my doctor was knowledgeable, skilled, and respected enough to be trusted with teaching someone how to do an incredibly important job.  It not only reaffirmed my choice of doctors but reminded me why I saw them in the first place.  I never minded they questions the "student" asked. I figure they are much more cautious and less inclined to write stuff off.  I also figured their questions made my doctor justify their decisions and potentially second guess them to see if there was a better route for me, the patient.  Now that I feel like a professional patient, I was beyond thrilled when my melanoma specialist brought in a resident/doctor-in-specialty-training in with her.  I hate the fact that we need melanoma specialist but I loved knowing my doctor is training them while treating me.

Now, about those clinical trials that have gotten beat up in the press lately.  On a conceptual basis, I am all in favor of them. Of course, there is no place for cutting corners, fudging statistics/data, or rushing things through.  I believe that these are the exceptions to the amazing work that doctors do daily.  So, it should come as no surprise that within a month of my initial diagnosis I was looking for clinical trials to be a part of.  In any US state and for any type of research.  I found a few that were very specific and did not need my Stage 1a self.  I found a few others that had passed the point of accepting new patients.  I kept trying and I think I might have found one.  I can't say for sure I'll be accepted, it'll work out, or I can do it, but I sure am trying right now.  The latest battle is my insurance company, again, to be a part of this.  To me, it's a battle worth fighting.  I look at it from the perspective that if I can keep another person from going through this or help their treatment if they do, then it's worth it to me.  And another set of eyes being vigilant about my care is the frosting on this cake.

I wrote this post to express my thoughts and to hopefully make someone else consider letting that new doctor or nurse in the room. I believe you will make a difference, down the road, in another melanoma patients care.  Same goes with clinical trials.  My opinion is my own, but hopefully I've given you something to think about when forming your own, melanoma warrior or not.