What is a research hospital?

What constitutes a research hospital?

A research hospital, sometimes referred to as a research medical center, is a healthcare facility or institution that dedicates its time to patient care, research and training. Oftentimes these organizations focus on rare or complex conditions. For example, at St. Jude, we focus on finding cures and methods of treatment for pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases that affect children. In some cases, research hospitals also act as teaching hospitals.

How does a research hospital operate?

Research

Due to its high importance and critical value, research is a top priority. Through multifaceted approaches that include clinical trials, data management, partnerships and collaboration with other organizations, these medical centers conduct cutting-edge research that advances their missions to cure and treat a myriad of illnesses.

Patient care

When it comes to patient care, research hospitals prioritize evidence-based medicine and treatment. This practice uses the scientific method to select the best course of treatment for an individual. Combined with the healthcare practitioner's experience and expertise, treatment decisions are based on the best, most current information available, improving patient outcomes.

Education and training

Alongside research and patient care, research hospitals often have a focus on education and training. This focus on professional development helps create the next generation of physicians and researchers who then continue in the mission of advancing medicine.

For example, at St. Jude, we have a comprehensive education and training program, which covers advanced and predoctoral training as well as the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Here, students experience world-class mentorship and training from premier pediatrics research and treatment centers.

Collaboration and specialized centers

In addition, research hospitals will often collaborate with specialized health centers and facilities. Cross-collaboration between centers allows for innovations, resource and data sharing, potential funding increases and more. These benefits all move research centers closer to their overall goal of improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

For example, St. Jude has an expansive affiliate clinic program that extends from the Southeast to the Midwest sections of the United States.

St. Jude affiliate clinics

Established in 1972, the St. Jude Affiliate Program was created to help broaden the impact of our efforts beyond our Memphis headquarters. St. Jude has eight affiliate clinics in locations from Louisiana to Illinois — each partnered to help provide specialized treatment and care for patients with pediatric cancer.

These collaborations not only help St. Jude to serve more children, but they also enable the staff of each affiliate clinic to take advantage of St. Jude-sponsored lectures and high-level educational opportunities. This allows for even more physicians and researchers to complete specialized training, leading to even more lives saved.

Why support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.

St. Jude has helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% in 1962 to 80% today. We won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.

Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. When you support St. Jude, you can help make cures possible for kids with cancer. Together, we can save more lives.

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