The Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) has launched its new podcast, "Beyond the Endpoint," aimed at demystifying clinical research and healthcare through engaging conversations with renowned clinicians and scientists. The podcast debuted on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and provides personal and expert perspectives on the latest gold-standard research and real-world evidence, making complex topics accessible to a broad audience.
In a clinical trial, the endpoint is the outcome that a research team measures to determine if their intervention is safe and effective. But what comes after the endpoint? How do research results translate into public health guidance, and what do they mean for you? "Beyond the Endpoint" seeks to answer these questions while bridging the gap between research findings and everyday healthcare.
The podcast is hosted by DCRI faculty members Emily O’Brien, PhD, and Manesh Patel, MD. The hosts leverage their deep expertise in population health sciences, cardiology, and clinical research to guide discussions with esteemed researchers, advocates, and innovators in clinical research and healthcare.
"Our goal with 'Beyond the Endpoint' is to make the intricacies of clinical research and healthcare more accessible and relatable to the general public," said Willette Wilkins, Executive Producer of the podcast and DCRI's Chief Strategy Officer. "We want to break down the barriers and foster a deeper understanding of how clinical research impacts everyday health decisions. Through these candid conversations, we aim to inspire, inform, and engage our listeners in meaningful ways by always sharing trustworthy information."
The podcast will cover a wide range of topics, from pressing healthcare issues to the latest insights in clinical research. Episodes will tie back to what the average listener can take away from the topic and apply to their own lives. The podcast will also explore behind-the-scenes aspects of healthcare and research, offering a peek into how evidence is generated and how it impacts public health.
In the first episode, “Caring Through Loss: The Role of Grief in Clinical Settings,” O’Brien and Patel are joined by guest host Jenny Cook, MPH, to discuss grief among healthcare providers with Tony Galanos, MD, a researcher and physician at the Duke University School of Medicine. Galanos — "Dr. G" as he's called around Duke — shares insights from his 12-year program helping other clinicians to address and process the grief that can be an inevitable part of their work. Together, the group explores how everyone can better manage their own grief and support others after losing a loved one.
Future episodes of the podcast will explore the growing burden of hypertension, and how we can “bend the curve”, and wearable devices' potential to alter how we use our health data and healthcare.
Episodes of "Beyond the Endpoint" are approximately 30 minutes long and published bi-weekly. The podcast is available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Have an idea for an episode or questions that you’d like our experts to discuss? Reach out to us at beyondtheendpoint@duke.edu. For more information about the podcast and to listen to the latest episodes, visit dcri.org/bte.