What Is a Clinical Study?

Researchers are working to find cures and new ways to treat diseases, and in doing so they conduct one of five types of clinical studies. The National Institute of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are responsible for regulating clinical studies.

Definition

• A clinical study helps researchers to find a new and better way to treat and prevent a disease by working with human volunteers who participate in the study.

Types

• There are five types of clinical studies. They are treatment, prevention, diagnostic, screening and quality of life studies.

Features

• There are strict rules, regulations and scientific and ethical principles to follow while conducting clinical studies, and each study has a protocol or action plan.

Effects

• Clinical studies have helped to prevent diseases and to improve the quality of life for patients. A recent clinical study using the drug MDV3100 resulted in a lower Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level, raising the hopes of treating prostate cancer.

Considerations

• Volunteers who participate in a clinical study are required to sign an informed consent indicating that they understand the facts, the tests, risks and benefits of the study.

Benefits

• Participating in a clinical study gives you access to care from the best researchers and gives you the opportunity to help in advancing the medical care of others.

To Participate in a Clinical Study

• To find a clinical study that you would like to participate in: Talk with your physician about information on clinical studies, and contact the medical center in your community about how to participate in their clinical studies.