Clinical Trials Articles

Research 101: Understanding Research Studies

Tuesday, March 27th, 2007
One of the secrets of science is to understand the language of science, and science's primary language is the research study. Research studies allow scientists to communicate with one another and share results of their ...

Good Reasons To Keep Taking Your Medication

Thursday, October 19th, 2006
Many research studies have highlighted the phenomenon of the "healthy adherer" — people who take their medications consistently demonstrate more healthy behavior overall. Backing up this idea are studies showing better outcomes for patients who ...

Checklist of Questions for Clinical Trial Participants

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
So you have been asked to take part in a research study! This can be a very satisfying experience, allowing you to help yourself now and to help others in the future. After all, without ...

Learning About the Results of Research

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
In most informed consent forms, the researcher promises to share what is learned from the study with you. These results will sum up the responses of everyone who took part in the study. In addition, ...

Will You Have Access to Those Drugs That Work After a Trial Is Complete?

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
Understandably, if an investigational drug helps you, you may wish to continue to take it after the trial has been completed. In some instances, a medication that is being investigated for use in treating your ...

Involvement of Family Members and Others

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
You may wish to involve family members in some parts of a research study. For example, you might consult with a family member about taking part in the study, or you may wish to look ...

What Is Informed Consent?

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
Federal regulations have been created to protect the well-being and rights of volunteers in biomedical research. These regulations (Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 46 or 45 CFR 46) say no investigator may involve ...

Does Research Involve Special Risk?

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
Well before a clinical study begins, the researcher has attempted to reduce any risk of physical discomfort or harm to you and others who take part. The effort likely began with preclinical, or basic, laboratory ...

What Protections Exist for Research Subjects?

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
Many "checkpoints" ensure that research meets strict scientific guidelines and follows rules that protect the subject. Several groups who are not part of the research team examine both the scientific plan and procedures to protect ...

What Is the Investigator’s Responsibility if a Patient Has a Clinical Crisis?

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
You read earlier about the differences between clinical research and the care you receive from your personal doctor. In most research, an investigator will try to follow the research design: Following a research plan that ...

What Is a “Placebo Control” in a Medication Trial?

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
Studies of new drugs often compare the effects of an investigational drug with the effects of a placebo. If you are considering whether to take part in a drug trial, the director of the study ...

How Are Clinical Studies of Mental Disorders Designed?

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
Clinical researchers call the standard scientific approach for trying out treatments a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Understanding this term, and knowing how and why this approach is used, should help you to decide whether ...

How Will Treatment in a Clinical Research Study Differ from Treatment Your Own Doctor Provides?

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
Clinical research often involves providing treatment. Yet, treatment research is different from the care that you would get from your own doctor. Usually, when you go to a doctor, you want help with a particular ...

What Is Mental Health Clinical Research?

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
Scientists study and try different ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent human disease more effectively. The needed research may take place in a basic science laboratory, a clinic, or in the community. In mental health clinical ...

Why Do Patients Participate in Research on Mental Disorders?

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
Although remarkable progress has been made in defining and treating mental illnesses, some treatments are not effective for all persons or may have significant side effects. Thus, most people who agree to take part in ...

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