For patients

What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are phases of research designed in order to make advancements in medicine and health.

In a clinical trial, patients are sought out by Clinical trial conductors in order to start a clinical trial.

Without patients, clinical trials cannot commence, therefore, advancements in medicine and health stagnate.

Investigational drugs or therapies are tested in a clinical trial to make sure that they are effective, and most importantly, safe.

Clinical trials also help determine of new ways to use current therapies and drugs.

The FDA requires clinical trials before any kind of medicine can be sent out to the general population.

Clinical trials are conducted in four phases, which are described

here.

Who are the people that can participate in a clinical trial?

Every time a clinical trial is about to be conducted, there are strict guidelines about who can participate.

Clinical trials utilize a criteria based on age, gender, disease type/stage, other medical conditions, and previous treatment history.

A prospective clinical trial patient must qualify for the study by fitting a combination of the aforementioned criteria.

Sometimes, in a clinical research study, completely healthy participants are required, while at other times, people with specific illnesses and conditions are required.

The criteria reinforced by clinical trials staff and physicians are utilized In order to have the correct patients needed for the study, while keeping them safe.

IS IT SAFE TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLINICAL TRIAL?

It is our absolute priority to make sure that you will be safe during your participation in a clinical trial!

Your participation in a clinical trial is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw from the clinical trial at any time if you start to feel uncomfortable

Before a patient starts the study, we make sure to give them an informed consent to read.

This informed consent will detail everything that can occur while you are participating in a clinical trial.

The physician leading the clinical trial and the staff working on the clinical trial will make sure to explain to you the possible risks and benefits of being in a clinical trial, and you can ask any questions that you may have.

Whatever the condition that you may have, be sure to remember that it will be very closely monitored throughout the study by our highly trained and dedicated physicians and staff.

We take care of our patients as if they are our family.

wHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN A CLINICAL TRIAL?

There are plenty of benefits for participating in a clinical trial!

The first benefit is that you will be a part of something for the greater good. A steady supply of patients is necessary in order to keep clinical trials going. The more patients that participate in clinical trials, the greater the chance that we will be responsible for a breakthrough in medicine.

The second benefit is that you will be able to get access to medication available at no other places.

The third benefit is that you will learn much more about the condition(s) that you currently have.

The fourth benefit is that you will get a very personal level of medical attention, along with supplies, lab services, and medicine at no cost.

The last benefit is that you may be compensated for your time for thousands of dollars!

wHAT IS INFORMED CONSENT?

If you qualify to take part in one of our studies, members of the study medical teams will discuss the details of the research study with you. This is called the "informed consent" process. This helps you and your family understand the key elements of the study including:

Study design
Study medication
Tests you will have
What you will be asked to do (ex. daily documentation of diaries)
Possible risks and benefits of the study medication, examinations, and procedures.