What is Clinical Research?
What is Clinical Research?
A clinical trial (also called medical research, clinical research or clinical study) is intended to help answer specific questions about a treatment or medication to determine if they are safe and effective. Medications being researched for safety and effectiveness are known as investigational drugs or study drugs.
Who Sponsors clinical trials?
Clinical trials are sponsored (or funded) by a variety of organizations or individuals such as physicians, pharmaceutical companies, medical institutions, foundations, voluntary groups, and federal agencies. When you participate in a clinical trial, your privacy is protected. Your medical records will remain confidential. The trial data that is provided to the pharmaceutical company and the FDA will not include your name or the names of other individuals participating in the study.
Why participate in a clinical trial?
Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.
How do I join a clinical trial?
For more information about the current clinical research studies, or to inquire about study participation, click here.
Additional resources for information and frequently asked questions about clinical trials for patients and their families can be found at: