Why Become a Patient in a Clinical Trial (Clinical Study)

Patients considering participating in clinical research conducted at IMRA are welcome and encouraged to call and discuss any questions with the staff at IMRA - Contact Us. IMRA also encourages you to visit The National Institutes of Health website for detailed information for patients considering participating in a clinical trial entitled An Introduction to Clinical Trials.

Participation in a clinical trial is entirely voluntary. People choose to participate for various reasons. A majority of patients enroll in clinical trials say that they want to help others and that they want to help advance medical science. Patients are sometimes interested in receiving investigational medications before they are made available to the public or sometimes have not found conventional treatments to be adequate.

Study related physical exams, medical testing, and investigational drugs are all provided free of charge. Each clinical trial has specific criteria that must be met for participation. These criteria ensure that the investigational medication is tested in the specific patient population designated by the pharmaceutical company sponsoring the study.

The first step in enrolling in a trial is to discuss these criteria with the IMRA physicians or study coordinators to be sure that you are eligible. If you meet the major criteria you may be asked to schedule an appointment with IMRA. The specifics of the trial can be discussed in detail with you at that time and you will be provided the opportunity whether or not to participate. If you choose to participate you will be asked to review and sign an Informed Consent containing the details of the trial. The Informed Consent has been approved by an Institutional Review Board that has reviewed the trial.

It is important to discuss the specifics of the trial, time requirements, and all other available options with the IMRA physician(s) and staff conducting the trial. Important considerations and questions include:

• How long will the trial last?
• Where is the trial being conducted?
• What is the main purpose of the trial?
• What treatments will be used and how?
• How will patient safety be monitored?
• Are there any risks involved?
• What are the possible benefits?
• What are the alternative treatments besides the one being tested in the trial?
• Who is sponsoring the trial?
• Do I have to pay for any part of the trial?
• What happens if I am harmed by the trial?
• Can I opt to remain on this treatment, even after termination of the trial?

If you have an interest in participating in a clinical trial conducted at IMRA please feel free to contact the staff of IMRA - Contact Us. We will make every attempt to provide you with complete and accurate information.