Clinical Research
What Are Clinical Trials?
A clinical trial is a research study in human volunteers to answer specific health questions. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the safest and fastest way to find treatments that work in people, and new ways to improve health.
There are different kinds of clinical trials, including those to study: prevention options, new treatments or new ways to use existing treatments, and new screening and diagnostic technique options for improving the quality of life for people who have serious medical conditions.
Clinical trials are conducted according to a plan called a protocol. The protocol describes what types of patients may enter the study, schedules of tests and procedures, drugs, dosages and length of study, as well as the outcomes that will be measured. Each person participating in the study must agree to the rules set out by the protocol. (Compliments of the FDA.)
Why Is It Important To Participate?
Volunteers are critical in the research and development of new medicines and medical devices. Without clinical research volunteers, improvements to current treatments and medical technologies would not be possible. Many people choose to participate in clinical trials because they may have access to new treatments that could be more effective in treating their condition than the treatments that are already available.
Medical researchers can’t guarantee the overall success of these new medications being tested. The reason to study a new potential medicine or device is to determine if the product is effective and safe for treating a particular condition.
It is only through the participation of willing volunteers that improved medications eventually become available. Clinical research is key to introducing new medicines and treatment options.
New Medicines Depend On Research - Are Medical Research Studies Safe?
Researchers are required to follow strict rules that are put in place solely to protect the rights and safety of all study participants. The studies at Burke Primary Care are carefully monitored by regulatory agencies including the FDA, Independent Review Boards, and Data Monitoring Committees to ensure the safety of all study participants. However, it is very important that study participants be completely truthful when entering a medical research study so that the researcher can provide the greatest level of safety for the participants.
Ongoing Studies At Burke Primary Care
Osteoarthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis Study:
- This study is to determine the safety and long-term effects of Celebrex compared to ibuprofen and naproxen on the cardiovascular system, stomach and kidneys as well as the ability of each drug to control arthritis pain.
- This study is global; countries involved include: North and South America, Asia and the Ukraine.
- Estimated participation is 18 to 42 months.
- Study medication, lab work, ECG and physical exams are paid by the sponsor. +• Participants receive $50.00 for each completed, required visit.
Type II Diabetes Trials:
- This study is being conducted to determine if Onglyza versus placebo, when added to your regular diabetes regimen, can actually reduce cardiovascular risks, complications from diabetes and death.
- Onglyza is an FDA approved drug for the treatment of Type II Diabetes.
- This study is currently being conducted around the world.
- Estimated participation is 5 years with office visits every 6 months.
- Study medication, lab work, ECG and physical exams are paid by the sponsor.
- Participants receive $30.00 for each completed, required visit.
Opiod Induced Constipation:
- This study is to determine whether the study drug helps alleviate constipation in patients taking routine opiod drugs for non-cancer related pain.
- Participation is estimated to be 52 weeks with monthly office visit.
- Study medication, lab work, ECG and physical exams are paid for by the sponsor.
- Compensation has not been determined at this time.
Additional studies are always in the pipeline. Call Burke Primary Care's Clinical Research for additional trial opportunities.