What Are Clinical Trials?

Jul 2, 2015 | Suzanne Ferguson | @suzannerferguson | Comments (2)

Q: I’ve heard the term “clinical trials,” but what are they? Why do people participate in them? How would I find out about current clinical trials, and is it hard to get into one?

A: By participating in clinical trials, you are playing a vital role in the research process to advance the treatment and even possible cures for diseases. Clinical trials are studies involving human participation. People choose to volunteer for clinical trials for many reasons including having a connection to a particular disease or a desire to help others.

Clinical trials take place at medical facilities throughout the country, and the National Institutes of Health maintains a database - www.clinicaltrials.gov – that you may search in order to determine opportunities for participation. Sometimes the trials may have strict parameters for eligibility that you would need to work through before joining.

Participating in a clinical trial is a personal choice, and may not be right for everyone. Before you consider participating in a clinical trial make sure to review all the information from a consent form, as it will contain the detailed information about your particular study. It is also important to ask any questions if you have them. The study coordinator or any members of the research team will be happy to answer all of your questions. Finally, anyone may leave a clinical trial at any point in the process if they do not wish to continue.

The Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) is a collaborative network of specialists bonded by the vision of delaying or preventing heart failure for individuals affected by congenital heart defects including HLHS. The specialized team is addressing the various aspects of these defects by using research and clinical strategies ranging from basic science to diagnostic imaging to regenerative therapies.

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quinnsapp | @quinnsapp | Jun 24 5:59am

Does Mayo charge for the clinical trials is selected? Does Mayo have any partnership with the VA? Thanks.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 24 9:41am

In reply to @quinnsapp "Does Mayo charge for the clinical trials is selected? Does Mayo have any partnership with the..." + (show)

Hi @quinnsapp, costs for participants of a clinical trial will vary depending on the study. For example, medical appointments, medicine if required, is usually covered by the facility conducting the study, but travel to the hospital for appointments may not be covered. Sometimes, participants are offered an honorarium to take part in a study.

To learn more about clinical trials: https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/about-clinical-studies

If you would like to talk to someone about your eligibility for a clinical trial or the availability of a clinical trial and the costs, you can call to speak with a research coordinator at Mayo Clinic.
NON-CANCER CLINICAL STUDIES QUESTIONS
Phone: 800-664-4542 (toll-free)

CANCER-RELATED CLINICAL STUDIES QUESTIONS
Phone: 855-776-0015 (toll-free)