Study-related physical exams, medical testing, and investigational drugs and devices are provided at no cost. Participants are treated with respect, beneficence and with justice, which are the cornerstones for the ethical treatment of human subjects in research.
Why Should Patients Participate in Clinical Trials?
Most individuals need a medical treatment for an illness some time in their life. These treatments are available because people volunteered to take part in clinical trials. Volunteers are essential in developing new and better medications and medical devices. We all benefit from their participation.
In the same way that someone helped to develop medical procedures that benefit us, we can help with the development of tomorrow’s treatments by being a volunteer.
Research patients and volunteers will help CAMC with our mission of striving to provide the best health care to every patient, every day. There are good reasons why people volunteer to participate in clinical trials. Some of these include:
- The opportunity to help others - and by participating, contribute to the advancement in discovery of treatments, cures, improvements, and preventions for certain diseases or medical conditions.
- Access to new treatments before they become widely available. Patients may have exhausted standard (approved) treatment options which either did not work for them, or they were unable to tolerate certain side effects. Clinical trials may provide another option when standard therapy has failed
- Additional care and attention from the clinical trial study team.
- Ability to play a more active role in your own health care.
- Access to free physical examinations and diagnostic tests related to the clinical study.
- Potential compensation for time and travel related to the clinical study.
To find out if you may qualify for one of our clinical trials or to submit your interest for upcoming clinical trials, please contact us at (304) 388-9944.
Important Participant Information
If you’re interested in participating in a clinical trial, here is some information you may find helpful.
Questions You Should Ask
Each clinical trial is unique, with its own potential benefits and risks. Before you decide to take part in a clinical trial, make sure you have answers to the following questions:
1. What is the main purpose of this study?
2. Does the study involve a placebo or a treatment that is already on the market?
3. How will the treatment be given to me?
4. How long is the study going to last and what will I be asked to do as a participant?
5. What has been learned about the study treatment and are any study results published?
6. Do I have to pay for any part of the study? Will my insurance cover these costs?
7. Is there any reimbursement for travel costs or childcare?
8. Will I be able to see my own doctor?
9. If the treatment works for me, can I keep using it after the study?
10. Can anyone find out whether I’m participating in the clinical trial?
11. Will I receive any follow-up care after the study has ended?
12. What will happen to my medical care if I stop participating in the study?
13. Does the physician/investigator have any financial or special interest in the clinical study?
14. What are the credentials and research experience of the physician and study staff?
Who Can Participate?
Anyone who wishes to be a part of a research study and meets the eligibility criteria for it can participate. Before you can enroll in a research study, you will first review a comprehensive written description of the study, discuss it with the study staff and study physician, have your questions answered, and provide informed consent.
The description of the study lays out what the intent of the study is, how long it will last, what medical procedures will be performed, what benefits and risk those participating will incur, and your rights as a research patient/volunteer.
Your rights as a research patient/volunteer are:
- To be told the purpose of the clinical trial.
- To be told all the risks, side effects or discomforts that might be reasonably expected.
- To be told of any benefits that can be reasonably expected.
- To be told what will happen in the study and whether any procedures, drugs or devices are different than those that are used as standard medical treatment.
- To be told about options available and how they may be better or worse than being in a clinical trial.
- To be allowed to ask any questions about the trial before giving consent and at any time during the course of the study.
- To be allowed ample time, without pressure, to decide whether to consent or not to consent to participate.
- To refuse to participate, for any reason, before and after the trial has started and know that it will not affect your standard treatment or relationship with your physician.
- To receive a signed and dated copy of the informed consent form.
- To be told of any medical treatments available if complications occur during the trial.
How to Contact Us:
Clinical Trials Center
3100 MacCorkle Avenue S.E. Suite 806
Charleston, West Virginia 25304
Phone: (304) 388-9944
Fax: (304) 388-9935