Patients

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study involving human volunteers designed to test new medical treatments to determine if they are safe and effective in preventing, diagnosing, or treating diseases.

How does a clinical trial work?

Researchers devise questions to answer and design a study plan, which is called a protocol. It outlines who may participate, what tests, procedures, or medications they will get, and how long the trial will last. Researchers check participants’ health and give instructions at the onset. They carefully monitor volunteers during the study and keep in touch after the study is complete.

Who can participate?

Volunteers must meet certain eligibility criteria based on factors such as age, gender, and health status. The criteria is used to ensure that researchers will be able to answer the questions they plan to study and to keep participants safe.

Why should I consider participating in a clinical trial?

You can take a more active role in your health care, gain early access to new drugs and treatments, obtain expert medical care, and help others by contributing to medical research.

What are the risks?

Risks vary based on the study. It is very important that you discuss them with your doctor. Side effects may be unpleasant, serious, or even life threatening. Some may be unexpected or appear after treatment ends. The treatment may not work, or you may be in a placebo group that gets no active treatment. There may also be extra demands on your time and attention.

How am I protected?

Before you decide to participate, you will learn the key facts about the trial through a process called informed consent. Then you will sign an informed consent form. The informed consent form is not a contract; you can leave the study at any time, for any reason. Throughout the study you will be provided with additional information. Also, independent review boards approve and monitor all trials to make sure the risks are as low as possible, ethical, and that the participants’ rights are protected.

Interested?

Please fill out the form below to provide us with your contact information. A research coordinator will discretely contact you within 48 hours.