Growth and evolution have been recent themes of the Gynecology division. Ten full-time faculty now comprise our team of physicians. To facilitate the research efforts of this team, the Clinical Research Organization or CRO was created. This central coordinating organization brings administrative, research laboratory, and study coordination expertise to researchers in gynecology.
With the growth of our division has come new and exciting research projects. Management and treatment of pelvic infections continues to be a mainstay, but the scope of gynecologic investigation has broadened. For example, traditional work dealing with antibiotic efficacy has been joined by work on human papilloma virus (HPV) testing techniques.
Infectious disease researchers within the division continue to seek anwers to clinical problems while providing quality health care to patients. One example is Parkland Hospital's specialty clinic focused on follow-up care for aggravated assault victims. The Sexual Assault Survivors or SAS clinic is specifically designed to address the complex issues of the survivor of an alleged criminal assault. The SAS collaborative team includes case managers, clinical social workers, rape crisis counselors, and a dedicated gynecologic physician staff who provide comprehensive, compassionate care and assist survivors in regaining control of their lives. This clinic not only brings needed care and social services to these women, but also serves secondarily as a valuable research site. STD rates in this patient population are currently studied.
Another simple, yet extraordinarily practical study deals with vaginal speculum lubrication and its affect on Pap smear adequacy and on STD detection rates. By providing evidence that supports using gel-lubricated specula, these physicians hope to effect lower cervical cancer rates through improved patient comfort and compliance with Pap screening.
One group within the division is involved with cervical dysplasia research. Development of medical management protocols for vulvar and vaginal dysplasia is one such project. This same group of researchers is also evaluating technology which uses lightwave penetrance and fluorescence measurements rather than traditional colposcopy and biopsy to differentiate between normal and dysplastic cervical epithelium. Still other investigators are analyzying the effect of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on rates of cervical stenosis following conization.
A study comparing laparoscopy with conservative medical treatment with methotrexate in women with suspected unruptured ectopic pregnancy has also begun. Study endpoints include: treatment efficacy, cost, number of patient visits, and post-treatment tubal patency. Other areas of ongoing research focus on genital warts, hormone replacement therapy, contraception, and uterine fibroids.
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