FAQ

What is a clinical trial?

New medications and devices used to treat and control disease are being constantly discovered. Before these medications and devices can be prescribed by doctors for use in patients they need to be tested for safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are medical studies set up for this purpose.

Why do people become involved in research studies?

People like you participate in research studies for many different reasons. Often they are seeking alternatives to the current treatment options available for their medical conditions. Participants in research studies have access to medications long before they’re available to the public.

Many research patients take part in studies due to relationships they’ve built with study coordinators and physicians over years of study participation. Patients come to appreciate the close medical care they receive in a research study and enjoy attending the study visits at the research center.

Research studies also include volunteers who want to advance the medical research process. Patients often feel frustrated and helpless to contribute to their current treatment options. Through participation in a research study their opinions help shape medical options for years to come.

Should I volunteer and what can I expect?

Every day, research uncovers new information about medical conditions and possible therapies. Your involvement in clinical studies could help in the development of new medications. You and many other people may benefit from your willingness to become involved.

Volunteering to participate in a clinical drug study is one of the best ways you can contribute to the understanding of diseases that affect people and the development of new therapies. Volunteers are important to the clinical study phase of the drug approval process. As a volunteer, you are the most critical link in a long chain of research and testing in the development of new medications for a broad range of health problems.

Each year, thousands of people volunteer to participate in clinical drug studies. Benefits to you as a volunteer may include:

• Participating in the research process that may lead to new therapies.

• Receiving medical care from physicians during the study.

• Learning new information about your condition, as well as meeting people with similar conditions.

What Happens during a Clinical Trial?

Each trial is different and our research staff will cover the nature of the study, the duration, the number of visits required, whether lab work is necessary, and any other information unique to the study and important for you to know before you enroll.