Clinical Research

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What is a clinical research study? A clinical research study or a clinical trial is a research study involving human volunteers designed to answer specific questions about health issues. These issues included disease prevention, treatment using drugs or medical devices or other interventions.

Clinical research can:

  • Test whether new treatments are both safe and effective
  • See if they help or improve the illness or health problem

What happens in a clinical trial? The clinical research process depends on the kind of trial being conducted. The clinical research team generally includes doctors, nurses and other research staff. The research staff will check your health, give specific instructions for being in the trial, watch over the participants carefully during the trial, and stay in touch for a time after the trial is finished. Some clinical research studies have more tests and clinic visits than you normally would have for an illness or health problem.

What are the different types of clinical research (trials)?

  • Treatment trials test new treatments, new combinations of drugs, or new devices and other therapies.
  • Prevention trials look for better ways to prevent disease in people who have never had the disease or to prevent a disease from returning. These may include medicines, vaccines, or lifestyle changes.
  • Diagnostic trials are conducted to find better tests or procedures for diagnosing a particular disease or condition.
  • Screening trials test the best way to detect certain diseases or health conditions.
  • Quality of Life trials explore ways to improve comfort and the quality of life for individuals with certain illnesses.

Who sponsors clinical research?

Clinical research is sponsored or funded by a variety of organizations or individuals such as pharmaceutical and medical device companies, hospitals, universities, and the various Federal Government agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Studies can take place in a variety of locations, such as hospitals, universities, doctors' offices, or community clinics.

For more information on clinical research studies, call Annette Paul at 920-406-7979.

Featured Services

Who Can Participate Available Clinical Research Studies Study Resource Links
Ask a Clinical Research Expert Second Opinion Program Aurora BayCare Services