What's a Clinical Trial?
Testing the Safety of Medications & Treatments for Future Generations
You may be asking yourself, what’s a clinical trial? Clinical trials are medical research studies that involve the participation of volunteers to help scientists understand and develop new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and their symptoms. These investigational treatments may be new drugs, a combination of drugs, new ways to deliver an already marketed drug, or a medical device.
Before a potential new medication is approved, it must undergo a series of lengthy and rigorous tests, first in the laboratory, then in animals, and ultimately in humans. A potential new medication or medical device must not only be safe and effective, but in many cases it must also demonstrate a superior benefit when compared to similarly approved products.
What's involved?
Once the consent form is understood and signed, screening procedures may start. Once the screening visit is completed, a staff member will notify volunteers if they are eligible to enroll or start participating in the study and provided instructions for continuing.
How are studies conducted?
- The reason for the study
- The number of participants
- The criteria used to determine who is eligible for the study
- A schedule for procedures, tests, drugs and dosages
- The length of the study
- What information will be gathered about the participants
- And much, much more
