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Joining a Clinical Trial at
Pi Health Cancer Hospital
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Joining a Clinical Trial at
Pi Health Cancer Hospital
Why Volunteer?
Volunteers like you are the heart of medical research. Whether you have a specific disease or are in good health, your participation is vital for advancing medical knowledge. Clinical studies simply wouldn’t happen without people like you.
People volunteer for clinical trials for various reasons, including:
– Desire to contribute to improving medical care for future generations.
– Personal connection to a disease, either through personal experience or family and friends.
– Interest in science and medical research.
Participation is a Choice
Participating in a clinical trial is entirely voluntary. You are under no obligation to join, and you can leave the study at any time for any reason.
Getting Involved
Interested in joining a clinical trial at Pi Health Cancer Hospital? We’re continuously looking for volunteers to help us better understand, diagnose, and treat cancers. Our researchers are conducting a wide range of clinical studies, and there may be one that’s right for you.
To get started:
- Explore our current clinical studies on our website.
- Check the eligibility requirements for each study.
- Contact our study staff directly for more information and to see if you qualify. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide specific details about participation.
Making an Informed Decision
Before enrolling in a clinical trial, you’ll be asked to review an informed consent form. This document provides essential information about the study, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, and your rights as a participant. Signing the informed consent form indicates that you understand the study and agree to participate, but remember, it’s not a contract, and you can withdraw at any time.
Protecting Your Rights and Safety
At Pi Health Cancer Hospital, we take the safety and rights of our participants very seriously. Here’s how we ensure your protection:
– Our Institutional Review Board (IRB), comprised of medical professionals and community members, oversees all clinical trials to ensure they are conducted ethically and safely.
– We have a dedicated research subject advocate who serves as an independent resource for participants. They’re available to address any questions, concerns, or ideas for improving research practices
Benefits of Participating
Aside from contributing to the advancement of medical science, there are potential benefits to participating in a clinical trial:
– Access to new treatments or interventions that may not be available outside of the trial.
– Close monitoring of your health by medical professionals throughout the study.
– The opportunity to play an active role in managing your health and potentially improving outcomes for yourself and others.
Continued Support
Your journey as a clinical trial participant doesn’t end when the study does. We’re committed to providing ongoing support and resources to all our participants, even after the trial concludes. Your feedback and experiences help shape future research endeavors and ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients worldwide.
Joining a clinical trial is not just about helping yourself; it’s about contributing to the greater good of medical science and potentially improving outcomes for future patients. Your participation matters, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Join a Clinical Trial
FAQs
Q: How are medicines developed?
A: Medicines are developed through a rigorous process that typically starts with extensive laboratory research to identify potential compounds that may have therapeutic effects. Once promising candidates are identified, they undergo preclinical testing in animals to assess safety and efficacy. If successful, the compounds advance to clinical trials, where they are tested in humans to determine their safety, effectiveness, and appropriate dosage for treating specific conditions.
Q: What is a clinical trial or clinical study?
A: A clinical trial, also known as a clinical study, is a research study conducted with human volunteers to evaluate the safety and efficacy of medical interventions such as drugs, treatments, procedures, or devices. Clinical trials are essential for advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care by testing new treatments, comparing existing treatments, or exploring ways to prevent, diagnose, or manage diseases.
Q: What are the clinical trial phases, and which one would I be participating in?
A: Clinical trials are typically conducted in four phases:
– Phase I: These trials involve a small group of healthy volunteers and focus on evaluating the safety and dosage of the intervention.
– Phase II: These trials involve a larger group of participants, including patients with the condition of interest, and aim to assess the effectiveness of the intervention and further evaluate its safety.
– Phase III: These trials involve a larger number of patients and compare the intervention to standard treatments or a placebo to determine its efficacy, safety, and potential side effects.
– Phase IV: These trials occur after the intervention has been approved for use and are conducted to gather additional information about its long-term effects and optimal use in real-world settings.
The phase you would participate in depends on the stage of development of the intervention and the specific goals of the study.
Q: Who can be a healthy volunteer?
A: Healthy volunteers are individuals without the condition being studied who participate in clinical trials to help researchers understand how the intervention affects people who are not affected by the disease. Healthy volunteers play a crucial role in medical research by providing baseline data on the intervention’s safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria for a particular study, including age, gender, and health status, can volunteer to participate as a healthy volunteer.
Q: How do you participate?
A: Participating in a clinical trial involves several steps:
- Find a trial: Search for clinical trials that are recruiting participants and match your eligibility criteria.
- Contact the study team: Reach out to the study coordinator or principal investigator to express your interest in participating and learn more about the study requirements, procedures, risks, and benefits.
- Screening: Undergo a screening process to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for the study. This may involve a medical history review, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and diagnostic procedures.
- Informed consent: Review and sign an informed consent form that outlines the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and your rights as a participant. You have the right to ask questions and clarify any concerns before consenting to participate.
- Participation: If you meet the eligibility criteria and decide to participate, you will receive the intervention according to the study protocol and undergo regular assessments, follow-up visits, and data collection as outlined in the study plan.
- Follow-up: After completing the study, you may be asked to return for follow-up visits or assessments to monitor your health and collect additional data on the intervention’s long-term effects.
Participating in a clinical trial is a voluntary decision, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time for any reason without penalty.
Q: What are the potential risks and benefits of participating in a clinical trial?
A: Participating in a clinical trial may involve risks, such as potential side effects from the intervention being studied, discomfort from procedures or tests, and the possibility of the intervention not being effective. However, there are also potential benefits, including access to new treatments or interventions before they are widely available, close monitoring of your health by medical professionals, and the opportunity to contribute to medical research and potentially improve outcomes for yourself and others.
Q: How long do clinical trials typically last?
A: The duration of a clinical trial can vary depending on factors such as the phase of the trial, the nature of the intervention being studied, and the study’s specific objectives. Some clinical trials may last for a few weeks or months, while others may span several years. It’s essential to discuss the expected duration of the trial with the study team before enrolling.
Q: What happens if I experience side effects or complications during the trial?
A: If you experience side effects or complications during a clinical trial, it’s crucial to notify the study team immediately. They will assess your symptoms, provide appropriate medical care, and determine whether any adjustments to the study protocol are necessary. Your safety and well-being are the study team’s top priorities, and they will work closely with you to address any concerns.
Q: Will I receive compensation for participating in a clinical trial?
A: Compensation for participating in a clinical trial varies depending on the study’s sponsor, the nature of the intervention being studied, and the study’s specific requirements. Some clinical trials offer compensation for time and travel expenses, while others may provide additional incentives or reimbursements. It’s essential to discuss compensation details with the study team before enrolling.
Q: Can I participate in more than one clinical trial at a time?
A: Participating in multiple clinical trials simultaneously, also known as “concurrent enrollment,” is generally not recommended due to potential safety concerns and the risk of overlapping study interventions or procedures. However, there may be exceptions in certain situations, such as when the interventions being studied in different trials do not interact with each other or pose a risk to your health. It’s essential to discuss any plans for concurrent enrollment with the study teams and your healthcare provider to ensure your safety and well-being.