Clinical Trials & Research

A clinical trial is a research study performed by medical professionals to evaluate new treatments. Through clinical studies, doctors find new and better ways to prevent, control and treat illnesses.

Each new treatment or medication is first studied in the laboratory to determine if it shows promise for patients who have a certain disease. Once a treatment has been evaluated in the lab, patients are asked to help test the therapy in a clinical trial. The new treatment must be proven safe and effective in clinical trials before earning Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval for general use.

There are many reasons to participate in a research study. Many volunteer to receive new treatments and therapies that are not available otherwise. Others want to contribute to the advancement of medicine and benefit others with a similar illness. Whatever the reason, volunteers participating in clinical research are the driving force behind the medical advances that improve and heal so many lives.

Each clinical trial has specific criteria or guidelines that are used to identify appropriate participants - and ensure their safety. These criteria are based on factors such as age, gender, the type and stage of a disease, previous treatment history, and other medical conditions.

It's important that you have enough information to make a well-informed decision before participating in a clinical trial. To do this, we provide what's called an informed consent document that outlines all the information you need to know about the study. We'll go over the details of the study with you and want you to ask questions. You should only join a clinical trial if you feel you have enough information about the possible risks and benefits involved.

Joining a clinical trial is always voluntary and you may leave a study at any time.

Clinical trials provide you with an opportunity to:

• Play an active role in your own health care.
• Gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available.
• Help others by contributing to medical research.

Some potential risks may include:

• Unpleasant, serious, or even life-threatening side effects to experimental treatment. These will be described in the informed consent document you will receive before enrolling in the clinical trial.
• There is no guarantee that the experimental treatment may be effective.

In addition, the clinical trial protocol may require more of your time and attention than would a non-protocol treatment, including trips to the study site, more treatments, hospital stays or complex dosage requirements.

If you are interested in learning how you might benefit from participating in a clinical trial, ask your doctor for more information or contact one of our certified clinical research coordinators at (714) 992-3000 ext. 4332.