While the Department of Ophthalmology has had a patient registry since 2019, it was paused during the transition from Eye & Ear to the Vision Institute. It was recently rebuilt to improve patient accessibility, visibility, and its use as a database.
The registry is a centralized database of individuals interested in learning more about research and potentially participating in current and future clinical trials. It also enables efficient identification of eligible participants by allowing targeted queries based on study-specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.
“The registry serves as a valuable resource connecting patients, healthy participants, and researchers,” said Sarah Waters, Ophthalmology Clinical Research Project Manager.
Over the past year, Waters has led efforts to transition the registry to an electronic platform, develop a structured database capable of generating targeted reports, and implement a kiosk-based system to support patient recruitment.
Currently, the kiosk has generated 20+ participants, with additional interest coming in through email, the website, and phone inquiries.
The registry is advertised on the website as well as on computer screens in exam rooms for all of the Oakland and Mercy campuses. It is also on an ad above the Research Kiosk on the second floor of the Vision Institute.
Patients do not need to be current UPMC patients or have a medical diagnosis to join the registry. Healthy volunteers are needed to support clinical research.