FAQs
Before joining a clinical trial, participants must qualify for the study. Some studies seek participants with specific illnesses or conditions, while others need healthy volunteers. Each clinical trial has guidelines based on factors like:
- Age
- Gender
- Type and stage of a disease
- Previous treatment history
- Other medical conditions
The clinical trial process varies depending on the type of trial. The team includes doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who:
- Check the participant’s health at the beginning of the trial
- Provide specific instructions for participating in the trial
- Monitor the participant closely during the trial
- Stay in touch after the trial is completed
Benefits:
- Play an active role in personal healthcare
- Gain access to new treatments before they are widely available
- Contribute to medical research that may help others
- Possible unpleasant side effects
- Treatment may not be effective
- The protocol may require more time and attention than standard treatments, including additional trips to the study site, more treatments, hospital stays, or complex dosage requirements
Informed consent is the process of understanding the key facts about a clinical trial before deciding to participate. It is ongoing throughout the study. The research team provides a document detailing the study’s purpose, duration, procedures, key contacts, risks, and potential benefits. Participants decide whether to sign, knowing they can withdraw at any time.
Clinical trials adhere to ethical and legal codes, ensuring participant protection. Most trials are federally regulated with strict safeguards. The study follows a controlled protocol, and researchers report results without revealing individual participants’ names.
Side effects are undesired actions of a drug or treatment, varying by medication. These are detailed in the informed consent form. Adverse effects may include headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and skin irritation. Both immediate and long-term impacts are thoroughly evaluated.
Participants should be well-informed and comfortable asking the healthcare team questions about the trial, expected care, and costs. Questions to consider:
- What is the study’s purpose, and why is the new treatment being tested?
- Who will participate in the study, and what tests and treatments are involved?
- How do the risks and benefits compare with current treatment, and how might the trial affect daily life?
- How long will the trial last, and will hospitalization be required?
- Who will pay for the treatment, and will expenses be reimbursed?
- What type of long-term follow-up care is included, and how will treatment effectiveness be assessed?
- Who will oversee the participant’s care throughout the trial?
- Plan and write down possible questions
- Bring a friend or relative for support
- Consider recording the discussion for later review
Yes. Most clinical trials provide short-term treatments but not primary care. Coordination with the healthcare provider ensures other medications or treatments do not conflict with the trial protocol.
Yes. Participants can leave a clinical trial at any time but should inform the research team and provide reasons for leaving.
Ideas typically come from researchers. Promising treatments are moved into clinical trials after laboratory and animal testing.
Sponsors include physicians, medical institutions, foundations, voluntary groups, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and federal agencies like NIH, DOD, and VA. Trials can take place in various settings, including dedicated research sites, hospitals, universities, doctor’s offices, or community clinics.
A protocol is the study plan describing participant eligibility, test schedules, procedures, medications, dosages, and study length. Participants following the protocol are regularly monitored by the research staff.
A placebo is an inactive substance with no treatment value. It is used in some trials to compare the effects of an experimental treatment.
A control group is a standard for comparison in clinical trials. One group receives the experimental treatment, while the control group receives a standard treatment or placebo.
- Treatment trials: Test new treatments or new combinations of drugs.
- Prevention trials: Seek ways to prevent disease in people without it or prevent recurrence.
- Diagnostic trials: Find better tests or procedures for diagnosing diseases.
- Screening trials: Test methods for detecting diseases or conditions.
- Quality of Life trials (Supportive Care trials): Explore ways to improve comfort and quality of life for individuals with chronic illnesses.
Transportation
Getting to Your Appointment Just Got Easier!
We are delighted to share that Suncoast Clinical Research offers your transportation for your visits. This service allows us to request, manage, and cover the cost of your rides to and from our facility, making your visit as seamless as possible. We use various transportation services to help you with getting to your appointment.
How It Works:
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Let Us Know You Need a Ride
1.When scheduling your appointment with Suncoast Clinical Research, simply inform us that you require transportation. We will arrange your transportation and provide the vendor with your name and phone number.
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Receive Your Ride Details:
2.- If you have a cell phone, you will receive a text message with your ride details at the time of booking.
- If you do not have a cell phone, we will provide you with the necessary scheduling information directly.
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Ride Notifications
3.When your car is on its way, you will receive another text or call (to your cell phone or landline) notifying you that your ride is en route.
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Enjoy the Ride
4.The car will take you to our offices for your appointment.
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Return Trip
5.At the end of your appointment, we will arrange for a ride to take you back home.
We are here to make your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Your Convenience, Our Priority
Your comfort and ease are at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to welcoming you and ensuring your visit is smooth from start to finish.
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