Participating in Clinical Research
Every day, people from all over the world participate in clinical trials to help themselves and others improve their quality of life.

Every clinical trial attempts to answer specific research questions. To do this, each trial has certain requirements about a participant’s medication, age, and current and past health history. You must meet the requirements of a particular trial to be an eligible participant.

What is Clinical Research?
Clinical research is one of the ways the medical world looks for better or new ways of treating illness and disease.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all medications be thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness before they can be prescribed by your doctor. A clinical trial is a partnership between doctors, participants, study sponsors, and the FDA to study the effectiveness of a study medication. In a clinical trial, information is collected from participants who are treated with study medications and then reported to the sponsor and FDA.

What Happens During a Clinical Trial?
Participating in a clinical trial is much like a regular visit to a doctor’s office, hospital, or medical clinic. Participants are treated professionally and with care.

During a clinical trial, study medication is administered. Also, tests and procedures are performed according to a research protocol, which has detailed guidelines that the research staff and physicians follow. The research protocol is designed by the study sponsor to measure the effectiveness and safety of the study medication or procedures.

Are Clinical Trials Safe?
Participant safety is the number one priority of any study.

Each participant is given a consent form to sign that describes the most common risks for the medication being studied and the potential benefits of participating in the study. You will be able to discuss the informed consent with the research staff. They will help you fully understand the risks and potential benefits of participating in the study and your rights as a research participant. Your medical condition will be monitored throughout the study by experienced research staff and physicians. Participation in a clinical trial is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.

Why Should I Participate?
As a qualified participant for clinical trials:

• You may be benefiting your future and the future of others by helping with the evaluation of new medications.
• All visits and procedures related to the study are free of charge. Those may include physical examinations, doctor visits, dietary counseling, study medications, and laboratory tests.
• You may have the opportunity to receive a new research medication for the treatment of your condition.
• You may learn more about your condition or disease and the latest treatments available.

What if I Already have a Doctor?
You should continue to see your own doctor for all non-study related medical matters and to discuss your participation in the clinical trial.

At your request, our staff can keep your doctor informed about your participation in the study.