Clinical Trials
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study using volunteers to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease.
Clinical trials are designed to answer questions about new therapies or new ways of using known treatments and to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective.
Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find new treatments that work in people.
Why should I participate?
Some people participate in clinical trials because they have exhausted standard treatment options - which either did not work for them, or they were unable to tolerate certain side effects.
Clinical trials may provide another option when standard therapy has failed. Others participate in trials because they want to contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge.
Participating in well-designed and well-executed clinical trials is one approach for you to:
- Get actively involved in your healthcare.
- Gain access to new research treatments.
- Have access to expert medical care for the condition being studied.
- Help others by contributing to medical research.
Is there financial compensation for participating in studies?
Volunteers may be offered compensation in certain trials for their time and travel.
What to expect at my first appointment?
At your first appointment we will have you fill out basic administrative forms and a medical history form. We will review your medical history, including any surgeries and/or hospitalizations. We will review any medications that you may be taking, and discuss any reactions to medications that you may have experienced in the past.
It will be helpful to us if you can bring any medications that you are currently taking (prescription as well as over the counter) to the office visit.
We will perform blood pressure check and complimentary cholesterol screening. These results will be reviewed with you by the doctor or nurse practitioner. You should come to your appointment fasting (no food or drink other than water) for at least 8 hours.
You can expect your first visit to take about 1 hour. After this we will discuss the studies that we have available to you based on your medical history. The details of the study as well as your requirements as a volunteer will be reviewed.
If you are interested, a study Informed Consent Form will be given to you to read in detail and you will be encouraged to ask questions. You may take this consent home to review with your family members and/or your family doctor.
Once you have agreed to participate in one of our research studies, we will schedule an appointment to begin.
How do I participate?
Participation in a clinical trial is completely voluntary.