What are Clinical Trials?

• Clinical Research is a study of health and illness in people. Clinical Research Studies involve researching health and illness using volunteers (also called participants); these studies are intended to learn if a new treatment is more effective or has less harmful side effects than existing treatments. These studies provide valuable medical knowledge for the benefit of future generations.

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• In a clinical trial, participants receive specific interventions according to the protocol created by the investigators. The interventions may be medical products, such as a drug or medical device; procedures; or changes to participants' behavior, such as diet.

 

• The investigators try to determine the efficacy and safety of the intervention by measuring certain outcomes in the participants. Measured outcomes will vary between studies and will be outlined in the study protocol.

 

• Study participation is always voluntary. Participants will always be given the opportunity to review the informed consent which outlines any risks involved with participation. Participants may withdraw from the study at any time for any reason.