Implementing transgender awareness and training enables widened inclusion efforts while helping to create career opportunities for the trans community.
"MACRO Trials is paving the way toward the future of comprehensive clinical research. Redefining clinical trial parameters will generate more accurate and nuanced research outcomes that take into account the true diverse range of human bodies and behaviors."
LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) October 27, 2020
MACRO Trials (MACRO) understands that clinical trials are designed to find therapeutics and treatments for the total population; however, marginalized communities are generally not recruited or selected to participate in research studies. Especially overlooked for general clinical trials are LGBTQIA+ group members. When setting trial parameters, there are medically defined exclusions; however, any person fitting a study’s parameters should be considered to be a participant. Embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in clinical trials broadens research outcomes by collecting and recording data for a variety of people, including those currently overlooked.
“When we conduct a clinical trial at MACRO, we do so with the understanding that the data we help collect today is contributing to the improvement of health outcomes for tomorrow’s patients. MACRO also knows that today’s health outcomes are not equitable for all, largely because the long-held standards for conducting clinical research do not include any effective metrics that hold the industry accountable to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts,” states Chief Operating Officer of MACRO Daniel A. Perez, BS, CCRP.
In addition to bringing awareness for LGBTQIA+ patients in the research setting, MACRO has partnered with the Los Angeles LGBT Center to bring transgender awareness and sensitivity training to clinical research personnel. Training includes pronoun awareness, cultural awareness, being cognizant and inclusive of everyone structurally to create a welcoming environment internally for employees and interns. According to Perez, “Implementing transgender awareness and training will allow us the opportunity to widen our inclusion efforts while simultaneously opening career paths in clinical research for the trans community.”
Everyone benefits from supporting the most marginalized groups. Fostering a positive work environment attracts diverse talent to fill internship and entry-level positions as undergraduates navigate their potential career paths with the freedom to be their authentic self. Acceptance promotes a workplace where the work is what matters.
Los Angeles LGBT Center Transgender Economic Empowerment Project Program Manager Eden Luna (they/them/elle) shares, “Gender-inclusive hiring and recruitment practices will serve LGBTQIA+ communities as well as the greater world at large. MACRO Trials is paving the way toward the future of comprehensive clinical research. Redefining clinical trial parameters will generate more accurate and nuanced research outcomes that take into account the true diverse range of human bodies and behaviors. The Los Angeles LGBT Center encourages other organizations to follow suit and recruit members of the community to facilitate those relationships with research participants. This will be an industry standard very soon, the future of research is inclusive.”
About MACRO Trials
MACRO Trials (MACRO) was founded in 2009 by physician colleagues passionate about performing high-quality research within their specialties. After establishing a record of conducting industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated trials in the fields of aesthetics, dermatology and plastic surgery, MACRO applied their unique research framework to support other principal investigators in private practice. Working closely with sponsors and contract research organizations, MACRO went on to facilitate and optimize research without the associated administrative and regulatory headaches. With a mission to change the culture of clinical research, and an eye toward a technologically adaptive research paradigm, MACRO is evolving to continue to incorporate best practices in clinical trial optimization.
Additional Information
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