By Dr. Arun Muthusamy, MD, MNGI Digestive Health
Most of the time, when you see your doctor, you want an answer to something happening right now. Maybe you have a stomach issue that won't go away. Maybe you need a test. Your doctor listens, figures out what's wrong, and gives you a plan. That's good, solid medicine, and it's what most people think of as healthcare.
But there's another part of medicine that doesn't talk about much. It's called clinical research, and honestly, it's the reason any of the medicines we use even exists.
Think about it this way. Every pill you've ever taken, every scope procedure, every treatment your doctor recommends; someone had to test it first. Real doctors and real patients worked together to figure out if it was safe and if it helped. That's research. It's slow, careful work, but it's how medicine gets better year after year.
This is exactly what MNGI does. We conduct these studies ourselves, right here in our own clinics. Some of our doctors even help write the treatment guidelines that other doctors nationwide follow.
What This Means If You're a Patient
If you've been dealing with a gut or liver condition for a while, you already know that the usual medications don't always cut it. Sometimes you need something more. That's where a clinical trial can help.
Here's what it can look like for you:
You get access to treatments that haven't hit pharmacy shelves yet, sometimes years before they’re widely available.
You get more eyes on your care. Your regular doctor is still involved, but now you also have a research team checking in on you regularly.
You help someone down the road. Whatever we learn from your case might be exactly what helps the next patient walk through our doors.
The Conditions We Focus On
Our research covers a lot of ground, in both kids and adults:
- Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Liver disease, including cirrhosis and fatty liver disease (also known as MASLD or NASH)
- Harder-to-treat conditions like gastroparesis, celiac disease, recurrent C. diff, and Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Who's Behind It
Dr. Ibrahim Hanouneh and Amanda Devers lead our research program, working closely with our team of doctors and coordinators. Several of our physicians split their time between seeing patients and running trials. Dr. Robert Ganz, for instance, has spent years focused on esophagus research, and organizations like the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) have taken notice of his work.
What you should know is that these are doctors who publish and present their findings nationally, sometimes internationally, but they're also the same doctors you'll see in clinics here in the Twin Cities. It's not one or the other.
You're Always in Control
Joining a study is completely your choice. Ask every question you can think of. Take as much time as you need to decide. And if you join and later change your mind, you can stop, no questions asked.
Choosing not to participate won't change anything about the care you get from your regular MNGI doctor. That care stays the same either way.
If you or someone in your family is struggling with a gut or liver condition that just won't respond to standard treatment, it might be worth asking about our studies. The next option that works for you might already be sitting right here in our clinic.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
