The World According to Mark

By Mark Tabola

One of the phrases that has become more important to me over the last few years is the term "clinical trial."  I am going to fully lead from here and share that I really don't have a full grasp of all the details of what a clinical trial is. So, I apologize in advance if I'm wrong, or if I've somewhat misunderstood things...  But I'm understanding that a clinical trial is done in ways to help ensure a consistent and unbiased outcome, no matter where and when it is run or re-run to verify results.

What I understand now more than before is how crucial it is that medical information is verified through clinical trials. And those trials often take time... Some of them have been going on for a long time. And by the time the trial they are doing now is done, the trials for a number of new and better things have already begun or are scheduled to begin.  It is all a part of a very complex system.

In the past few years, there have been treatments brought forth and presented as a reliable remedy, even without the use of any type of clinical trial behind it. And there has also been a lot of backlashes towards those who have mentioned that and asked for clarification over the lack of that trial.  But wouldn't you think that the response should be the opposite? If it were you or me, wouldn't you want all of the data, or lack of data, to be evident?  If I found a miracle cure type of thing, and found it worked for my family and I, wouldn't you want me to say "This is what worked in our instance. Maybe it's worth trying, too?"  Instead of making a claim that "This is now the cure for everyone, everywhere!"  

One thing I can fully agree with is that when people's lives are on the line, and medicine is the answer in many cases, time is not on your side. I do not envy our medical professionals, and the horribly complex and frustrating systems they have to navigate.  I also cannot fault the millions of people who have something that works for them and suggest it to others, to attempt to help them improve, too. I hope that as time goes on, more and more of our medical findings can be verified through Clinical Trials, or verified in ways that give consistent results over and over, no matter the variations.  Because in the end, THAT is the point!