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May 27,
2004 Vol.
7 No. 5 The Clinical Research Roundtable of the Institute of Medicine met last week to consider how the clinical research enterprise could be strengthened. As I listened to the debate among representatives from hospitals, health plans, patient groups, medical schools, the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, the voluntaries, foundations and the federal government debate, I was struck by how difficult it is to change such a complex system. Small changes reverberate throughout; each stakeholder stands to win or lose money, status or power with even minor deviations from the status quo. As Don Berwick once said, “Change is majestic.” And so it is with some excitement that we report here on the CDC Futures Initiative, which, regardless of what you think of it and regardless of what you stand to win or lose, was a courageous gesture. A newly organized CDC, regardless of the organization chart, will force its employees and its customers to consider its work and its relationship through a new lens, to justify its common interests relative to the mission and to examine old ways of doing things. For these reasons alone the year-long planning effort is worthwhile. Kudos to CDC staff and consumers, and to Julie Gerberding for having the courage to shake up the house. We can’t wait to see what happens next! Cheers -- Jessie Gruman, Ph.D. |
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