All medications and medical devices currently on the market have gone through rigorous testing through clinical trials to prove they are safe and effective. When you participate in a clinical trial, you become a pioneer in medicine. You are matched to a study that an overseeing physician determines you would be the right fit for. Once in that trial, you take the medication or use the device being studied while we work together to collect as much data about your experience as possible. This helps the FDA determine whether or not to approve the medication or device to be used by the general public. This is extremely important work that paves the way for medical science!

Yes, clinical trials are very safe. Due to the investigational nature of clinical research, there are an abundance of rules and guardrails in place to ensure patient safety remains the highest priority. All clinical trials go through several phases before being approved by the FDA. Many investigational products are studied in animals before being studied in humans to prevent unexpected reactions. During your participation in a clinical trial, you are under the direct care of a qualified physician. Various assessments are routinely performed to ensure your safety. At any time during the trial, you or the overseeing physician can decide to withdraw you from the study if it is in your best interest.

No, in many cases, your participation is fully covered by the sponsor or company developing the medication or device being tested. There are some studies, however, that may require insurance for standard-of-care procedures you would have otherwise gotten, but you will never pay for visits to our research clinic. The study team will go over specifics with you when you screen for a trial.

Participating in a clinical trial is a fulfilling and rewarding experience! You are helping to pave the way for groundbreaking medical advancements! Not only is it a wonderful way to give back to the community, but during your participation, you will receive access to highly attentive one-on-one care from a team of healthcare professionals. In some studies, you may even receive compensation and reimbursement proportional to the amount of time and effort you spend in the study.

A placebo is an inactive substance or device that has no medicinal or therapeutic effect. Many studies "randomize" participants into several different treatment groups such as the investigational medication/device, standard-of-care treatment, or placebo. By splitting participants up into these categories, researchers can determine how well the investigational product works compared to the current standard-of-care treatment or compared to nothing at all. There is a possibility you may be assigned to the placebo group if a placebo is being used in your specific study. You will not know which treatment you receive, and it is important to not try to guess to avoid skewing results. If the overseeing physician decides it is medically necessary to know what treatment you are receiving, you may be "unblinded" and told which group you were assigned to. The study team can provide more specific details depending on which study you participate in.

Participation in clinical trials is always 100% voluntary. You retain the right to make decisions you feel are in your best interest regarding your medical care at all times. If you begin participating in a clinical trial and decide later on you no longer want to participate, you are allowed to withdraw from the study at any time with no penalty. If you decide not to participate in a study before you've begun, there will be no impact on any care you may receive from our physicians in the future.