Clinical Trials (cont.)

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Clinical research and clinical trials facts
• What is clinical research?
• Why is clinical research important?
• What are clinical trials?
• What are the phases of a clinical trial?
• How can one find out what clinical trials are currently being conducted?
• How is a clinical trial performed, and what sort of preparation is needed?
• What is informed consent?
• Is patient privacy maintained in a clinical trial?
• Who can participate in a clinical trial?
• Are people paid for participating in clinical trials?
• What are the pros and cons of participating in a clinical trial?
• Can a person leave a clinical trial once it has started?
• Who sponsors clinical trials?
• What happens after a clinical trial is completed? Is there follow-up care?
• Clinical Trials Index

What happens after a clinical trial is completed? Is there follow-up care?

The researchers in the trial will stay in contact with participants and inform them of the conclusions of the trial. In some cases, you may be asked to provide long-term follow-up in the form of patient surveys or periodic health examinations. Since most clinical trials provide short-term treatments related to a specific condition, they are not a substitute for primary health care. Your regular health-care provider should be aware of the trial and will work with the researchers during the trial. When the trial is over, you will continue to receive care through your primary provider and any other practitioners required for your condition.

REFERENCES:

United States. National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. "Clinical Research & Clinical Trials." <http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/clinicalresearch/>.

United States. National Institutes of Health. <http://clinicaltrials.gov/>.