ABSTRACT
In a complex, health-oriented society such as ours that is increasingly receptive to patients’ concerns related to the cost, quality, availability, and accessibility of health care, it is of paramount importance to clearly define the future direction of research in islet cell transplantation. Clinical islet transplantation is changing rapidly and at an unpredictable pace. Globally, numbers of health care centers setting up clinical trials in islet cell transplantation continue to grow. One of the major focuses of current and future clinical trials in islet cell transplantation is the implementation of optimally designed outcome trials that will provide a foundation for truly evidence-based clinical practice in the community. Practice guidelines informed by robust research findings will become benchmarks for costeffective, highest quality clinical practice. In addition, islet researchers are visibly involved at an international level, participating in policy making, providing testimony at Congressional hearings, and lobbying for funding.
