Research & clinical trials
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a scientific study conducted to test the safety and effectiveness of new medical devices, medications and treatments for patients with specific diseases or conditions. Although many years are spent on laboratory and animal research to test a certain product or device, a clinical trial studies the precise effect on people with a particular medical condition.
Why should you participate in a clinical trial?
- It may help you have a better understanding and awareness of your medical condition.
- You could be part of an ongoing process that may benefit others in the future.
- There can be great satisfaction from being a part of scientific research. Each day, there are people hoping for advances in medicine that will make coping with an illness easier or eliminate it altogether.
Deciding whether or not to take part, or to continue to participate in a trial is completely up to you.
How am I protected as a clinical trial patient?
When you agree to participate in a trial, you will be asked to sign an Informed Consent Form. Informed consent helps protect you by making sure you have been given all the necessary information about a trial. The FDA prohibits misleading claims in clinical recruitment materials. It also requires an institutional review board (IRB) to review the general process of the trial.
How to get involved:
- You can talk to your doctor about studies currently available in our office. Your doctor can help you decide if you qualify for a study.
- You can also contact our Clinical Research Coordinator to get details about all the studies available in our office at: (858) 505-8672 or fill out one of the research questionnaires below.