CLINICAL RESEARCH STUDIES
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Understanding Clinical Trials

If you have ever wondered what it takes to participate in trials, the following  are the steps  to participate. Do’s and Don’ts

What are Clinical Research Studies?

Clinical trials are research studies in which people volunteer to help find answers to specific health questions, find new treatments and ways to improve health.

Clinical trials are conducted according to a plan which describes:

  • the types of patients who may enter the study
  • the schedules of tests and procedures
  • the drugs involved
  • the dosages, or amount of the drug
  • the length of the study
  • what the sponsors hope to learn from the study

Volunteers who participate in the study must agree to the rules and terms outlined in the protocol. Similarly, researchers, doctors, and other health professionals who manage the clinical trials must follow strict rules set by the FDA.

Learn more about the basics of clinical trial participation, read first hand experiences from actual clinical trial volunteers, and see explanations from researchers at the NIH Clinical Research Trials and You Web site.

Why are clinical trials done?

Clinical trials are conducted for several  reasons:

  • To determine whether a new drug or device is safe and effective to be use by people.
  • To research and study different ways to use standard treatments or develop  new approach to currently, approved treatments..
  • To learn how to safely use a treatment in a population for which the treatment has not previously been tested i.e., variety of ethnicities.

Who should consider clinical trials and why?

The participation in clinical trials for many volunteers depends in their consciousness to help humanity advancement by assisting in finding new ways to cure rare sickness that for years have ended the lives of love ones and humanity at large.

All clinical trials have guidelines, called eligibility criteria, about who can participate is based in the personal medical records produce by your physician, plus  factors as age, sex, type and stage of disease, all medical conditions are taken from the medical records his/her physician provides. The Investigator Physician at Helix will follow the protocol established by the Sponsor based in all the explained factors, not everyone who applies for a clinical trial will be accepted. The  FDA seeks to ensure that people of different ages, races, ethnic groups, and genders are included in clinical trials. Learn more about FDA’s efforts to increase diversity in clinical trials.

Questions to ask

Anyone interested in participating in a clinical study should know as much as possible about the study and feel comfortable asking the research team questions about the study, the related procedures, and any expenses.

  • What is being studied?
  • Why do researchers believe the intervention being tested might be effective or not be effective.
  • What are the possible interventions that I might receive during the trial?
  • What are possible risks, side effects, and benefits?
  • What will I have to do?
  • What tests and procedures are involved?
  • How often will I have to visit the office?
  • How long will the study last?
  • Who will pay for my participation?
  • Will I be reimbursed for other expenses?
  • Will results of the study be provided to me?
  • Who will oversee my medical care while I am participating in the trial?

Volunteering is strictly at the will of the individual  his or her participation is determined by a preliminary evaluation based in the medical records your Primary Care or specialist  provides to Helix, if you qualify for the study, you will sign an informed consent. The consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Participating in Clinical Trials

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