ENDOCRINOLOGY

THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL

 
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) Endocrinology Clinical Trials department is growing rapidly. It has developed from a small two-person team to a multidisciplinary department including nine staff members over the past two years. The Clinical Trials Centre has locations both at the Endocrine Area (1st Floor Maternity Building) and at the Diabetes Centre, along with the dietitian and the Administration Manager. The Endocrinology Department has been coordinating research trials since 1993, (approximately 35 to date) with eight trials currently in progress. Trials include studies in cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, kidney disease, insulin and medications for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, weight loss and eye disease.     Our team consists of -

Dr Pat Phillips                Senior Director - Endocrinology
Dr Angela Moran            Research Consultant - Co-investigator
Dr Alice Wilson               Research Consultant - Co-investigator
Dr Bidhu Mohapatra       Registrar - Endocrinology
Lesley Roberts                Administration Manager, EDS
Cassandra Spooner      Research Nurse
Rosemary Cox                 Research Nurse
Nadine Smith                   Research Nurse
Calli Strongylos                Research Dietitian

A Word from the Director - Dr Pat Phillips

Diabetes research in Australia is alive and well. In world terms we are up with the leaders allowing for our size. The range of Australian research is also impressive and covers the whole spectrum of diabetes. South Australia has a proud history of diabetes research. In 1921 Professor Robertson at the Adelaide University played a key role in extracting insulin from animal pancreases and making it available for treatment. The tradition of research continues at several institutions in South Australia, including The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Research projects at TQEH have covered a wide range including lifestyle, quality of life, blood glucose control, preventing complications and treating symptoms.

The benefits of such research for those living with diabetes are enormous, particularly in the last 20 years or so. For example, between the 1920s and the 1950s there was little change in the management of diabetes. There were several major changes in the next 30 years (oral medications, home glucose testing, laser treatment to save sight). However since the 1980s there has been a succession of discoveries which have made living with diabetes more comfortable and less dangerous. We now understand diabetes much better and know how to control blood glucose and other risk factors that increase the risk of complications.

At The Queen Elizabeth Hospital we are committed to the Hospital Logo of "Petimus, Docemus, Curamus" (to teach, research and treat). Diabetes research is an important part of our work and we have appreciated the support we have had both in terms of participation and contribution.

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