May 20 is Clinical Trials Day, a time to recognize the importance of clinical research.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a carefully designed research study that helps clinicians and scientists better understand diseases, answer medical questions, and evaluate new treatments or approaches to care. These studies are conducted by teams of physicians, nurses, and research professionals with the goal of improving health outcomes and advancing patient care.
Why participate in a clinical trial?
Taking part in a clinical trial can offer several potential benefits, including:
- Being actively involved in your healthcare journey. Participants often receive close monitoring throughout the study and may gain access to innovative therapies or technologies under evaluation.
- Early access to promising treatments. Some participants may receive new treatments before they become widely available.
- Helping future patients. Participation contributes valuable information that can improve care for others with the same condition.
Who can participate?
Each clinical trial has specific eligibility requirements. These may include factors such as age, gender, medical history, diagnosis, prior treatments, and overall health.
At The Valley Hospital, clinical trials are available to adults aged 18 and older, though each study has its own enrollment criteria. Participation is always voluntary.
What happens during a clinical trial?
Clinical trials follow strict scientific, ethical, and safety standards. During a study, participants receive treatment while healthcare professionals monitor progress and collect important data.
You will receive your research-related treatment at The Valley Hospital. Your care team may include physicians, nurses, dietitians, technologists, and other specialists. Depending on the study, participants may attend follow-up visits, undergo testing, or complete questionnaires. Some registries – database used to track participant outcomes, treatments, and disease trends – may also involve periodic check-ins with research staff over a set period of time.
Questions to ask before enrolling
If you are considering joining a clinical trial, it’s important to ask questions so you can make an informed decision. Helpful questions may include:
- What is the purpose of the clinical trial?
- What is the purpose of a registry?
- Why do researchers believe the experimental treatment being tested may be effective? Has it been tested before?
- How do potential risks, side effects, and benefits in the study compare with my current treatment?
- How might this trial affect my daily life?
- Why do I have to complete questionnaires?
- How long will the trial last?
- What type of long-term follow-up care is part of this study?
- How will I know the treatment is working?
- Who will be in charge of my care?
- Will participation in the research yield additional costs?
- What are the alternatives to choosing to participate in the research study?
How do I enroll?
Valley currently conducts research in several specialties, including oncology, cardiology, and stroke care.
To explore current opportunities, visit ValleyHealth.com/ClinicalTrials. For more information about any of our clinical trials, please call 201-447-8453. For cancer clinical trials, please call 201-634-5792.
A research investigator and a research nurse or research study coordinator will review all the information about a specific trial with you. You will be given an informed consent form to sign and will be instructed as to when your treatment or registry will begin. Remember, you have the right to ask as many questions as you wish before you enroll and may stop trial participation at any time.
