About Clinical Research
The Research Department at Northeast Iowa Family Practice Center has found that clinical research as been a positive force as an extension to patient care and education. Our own patient population has been our primary recruitment source along with other physician referrals, advertising and word of mouth.
What should you know about Clinical Research Trials?
Just What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that, under close supervision of a physician or research personnel, test investigational drugs, or sometimes medical devises. These trials look for ways to better treat patients to specific conditions or diseases. There are also trials looking to prevent or detect illnesses. Some trials are earmarked to simply compare effectiveness from one drug to another.
Am I Eligible for a Clinical Trial?
Each of our clinical trials comes with a specific set of criteria that must be met in order for the patient to be eligible. While these guidelines vary widely depending on the trial, most will have some sort of guideline for gender, age, previous history, risk history, and will be looking to include patients with current conditions specific for that trial.
Exactly How Does the Trial Work?
Each trial is very different since the end result they are looking for is so varied. How long and how well you heal from a sprained ankle will differ greatly from how well, if at all, you respond to a new diabetic drug. Each trial does however, follow a given format that usually has several common steps.
When someone is interested, or asked to be in a clinical trial, they are given the initial information about the trial. This information tells you the purpose of the trial, the approximate number of total participants (regional or nationwide), and the duration. You are also given a set of criteria (a list of inclusions and exclusions) you must meet for eligibility. You will be told about the drugs and/or placebos being used.
How Much Time Does It Take To Be In A Trial?
This too varies depending on the trial. A recent sprained ankle trial was over in 72 hours after the initial accident/incident, while a stroke prevention trial will monitor you for two years or more. Every trial will require you to come in for a specified number of visits. During these visits you are questioned or monitored to chart how you are reacting during the trial.
