CLINICAL TRIALS
Through clinical studies, which involve people who volunteer to participate in them, researchers can better understand how to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases or conditions.
Types of clinical studies
Observational study.
A type of study in which people are observed or certain outcomes are measured. No attempt is made by the researcher to affect the outcome — for example, no treatment is given by the researcher.
Clinical trial (interventional study).
During clinical trials, researchers learn if a new test or treatment works and is safe. Treatments studied in clinical trials might be new drugs or new combinations of drugs, new surgical procedures or devices, or new ways to use existing treatments.
Find out more about the five phases of non-cancer clinical trials on ClinicalTrials.gov or the National Cancer Institute phases of cancer trials.
Medical records research.
Medical records research involves the use of information collected from medical records. By studying the medical records of large groups of people over long periods of time, researchers can see how diseases progress and which treatments and surgeries work best. Find out more about Minnesota research authorization.
Clinical studies may differ from standard medical care
A health care provider diagnoses and treats existing illnesses or conditions based on current clinical practice guidelines and available, approved treatments.
But researchers are constantly looking for new and better ways to prevent and treat disease. In their laboratories, they explore ideas and test hypotheses through discovery science. Some of these ideas move into formal clinical trials.
During clinical studies, researchers formally and scientifically gather new knowledge and possibly translate these findings into improved patient care.
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteers are an integral part of the research process. People with a particular disease as well as healthy people both can play a role in contributing to medical advances. Without volunteers, clinical studies simply would not be possible.
People volunteer for clinical studies for many reasons. They may have a:
Desire to improve medical care for future generations
Connection to a certain disease or illness, whether through personal experience or through friends or family
Personal interest in science
Participating is a choice
Volunteering for a clinical study is a personal choice. You have no obligation to do so, and participation is not right for everyone. After enrolling in a study, you may leave at any time for any reason.
Making an informed decision
Informed consent.
Before deciding to participate in a study, you will be asked to review an informational document called an informed consent form. This form will provide key facts about the study so that you can decide if participating is right for you. You must sign the informed consent form in order to participate in the study, though it is not a contract — you may still choose to leave the study at any time.
Risks and benefits.
All medical research involves some level of risk to participants. Risks and benefits vary depending on the particular study. To help you make an informed decision, the study team is required to tell you about all known risks, benefits and available alternative health care options.
Ask questions.
If you have questions when deciding to join a research study or at any time during it, ask a member of the study team.
RESOURCES
The list below provides information and links to resources that may be helpful when searching for or participating in clinical trials.
Find studies
ClinicalTrials.gov
A registry and results database of publicly and privately supported clinical studies of human participants conducted around the world.
National Cancer Institute
Conducts and supports cancer research. Travel assistance, meals and lodging allowance may be provided.
ResearchMatch
Brings together researchers and people who are interested in participating in research studies in a secure environment.
National Patient Travel Center
Provides information about all forms of charitable, long-distance medically related transportation and provides referrals to all appropriate sources of help available in the national charitable medical transportation network.