10 Questions with Dr. Richard Ruh
Dr. Richard Ruh is a long-time supporter of Circuit Clinical. He is a principal investigator is part of our Remote Site Network, though he started off conducting clinical trials within the traditional site model. With over 15 completed clinical trials and 5 active, he is an experienced PI who has spent years delivering care options to his patients.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, which would you choose?
Listening/Happy/Passionate
Can you share why you decided to become a doctor?
I felt it to be a professional career that would continue to challenge me to learn.
Can you explain a part of your journey to become a doctor or clinical research that impacted you?
In the practice of medicine, I am able to help one patient at a time. In research and administrative medicine, I feel I can leverage that care to help the many.
Why did you become involved in clinical research?
One of my well-respected colleagues encouraged me to learn more to gain insight into this specialty.
What is the biggest challenge we face today in the clinical research industry as it pertains to healthcare?
It's too SLOW!!! Over the past 30 years, we still have an estimated 10-year interval between "Bench side" research and "Bedside" therapeutics.
In your experience, what has been the most crucial factor that has changed drug development or healthcare?
Unfortunately, the pricing of "new" therapeutics. When we have $1000/dose medications to treat Peyronie disease, we have really lost focus on "Healthcare."
How has clinical research affected your life personally?
It's given me a view into therapeutic research's leading edges, which would have been opaque to me before my participation in Clinical Research.
What is the biggest misconception people have about clinical trials?
Many folks mistakenly feel that clinical research is inherently or fundamentally "dangerous". This idea is 180 degrees from the "reality" of research.
What advice would you give to the next generation of researchers?
"Just say Yes"...and "It's far better for your patients to lead from the ground up than from the Ivory Towers, down."
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
"Two Ears and One Mouth"
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