Clinical trials are research studies involving human volunteers designed to test new treatments, therapies, or interventions for specific health conditions. They are a crucial part of the process of developing new medical advancements and are regulated to ensure participant’s safety. 

Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Clinical trials can study:

• New drugs or new combinations of drugs
• New ways of doing surgery
• New medical devices
• New ways to use existing treatments
• New ways to change behaviors to improve health
• New ways to improve the quality of life for people with acute or chronic illnesses.

The goal of clinical trials is to determine if these treatments, prevention, and behavior approaches are safe and effective. 

Many people decide to participate to help advance medical care and make a difference for future patients. Clinical trials can also give you access to new investigational treatments that aren’t widely available. For certain trials, you may also receive additional monitoring from a dedicated research team. 

There may or may not be a direct benefit to you if you participate in a research study. Information learned from participation in clinical trials may increase knowledge about the best way to treat patients. This knowledge will help make it possible to provide the best type of care for patients in the future. 

All research involves some risk, but clinical trials are designed to protect participants as much as possible. Each study is reviewed by a group called an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which includes doctors, scientists, and community members. They make sure the study is ethical, that your rights and safety are protected and that the risks of the study are clearly described in the informed consent document.

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an independent committee that consists of scientists, non-scientists, and members of the community that reviews every research study before it starts and continues to monitor it while its ongoing. The IRB ensures the research is ethical, scientifically sound, and that the rights of participants are protected.

Risks vary depending on the clinical trial. Some research interventions may cause side effects or may not work. Because each clinical trial is different, it's important to speak with the research staff before deciding whether to take part. They can explain the potential risks and benefits of the specific study, as well as any alternative treatment options, to help you and your loved ones make an informed choice.

Informed consent is the process of learning all the important details about a study before deciding whether to take part. You’ll receive an informed consent form, which includes information about the study such as its purpose, duration, required procedures, risks, potential benefits and who to contact for various purposes.  You’ll have time to ask questions and think about your decision.  If you choose to participate, you’ll sign the consent form, but you can leave the study at any time.

Yes. Researchers are required by law to protect your privacy. Only authorized members of the research team and those individuals listed in the informed consent document will have access to your information. Your name and identifying details will not appear in any published results or reports.

Clinical trials follow strict federal privacy rules, including HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), to ensure your information is handled securely and confidentially.

If you ever have questions or concerns about how your data will be used, the research team will explain everything during the informed consent process. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to participate.

You can leave a clinical trial at any time, for any reason. The research team will help you do this safely. Your decision to leave a trial won’t affect your care at Summa Health or your relationship with your doctors.

Each study has its own eligibility criteria based on factors like age, health history, and current condition. Our research team will talk with you to see if there is a trial that is a good fit.

Before you enroll in a study, the research team will explain any costs that you may have to pay during your participation.  

Some clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel, parking, or other expenses related to the study. This varies depending on the type of study. Paid stipends or compensation for being in a clinical trial will be outlined in the informed consent. The research team will explain any payments or reimbursements before you decide to take part in a research study.

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, talk to your healthcare provider. 

We also recommended you activate a Summa Health MyChart account to create your research study preferences profile: 

• Log into MyChart
• Go to “Menu”
• Click on “Research Studies”
• Select the conditions or areas you are interested in

Reach out to our Clinical Research Center at clinicalresearch@summahealth.org. You can also visit our Current Clinical Trials page to see studies that are actively enrolling.