Clinical Research Studies
Our board certified physicians participate in clinical research in order to offer our patients a variety of cutting-edge treatment options and to assist the pharmaceutical industry in developing better medications for our patients and our community. Every study that we complete brings us one step closer to more successfully managing our patient’s diseases and symptoms.
For additional information about our clinical research activities, please contact us at (513) 794-5656 or email us at info@giconsults.com
Advantages to participating in clinical research
- The stages of clinical research that our physicians participate in use drugs that have a history of use and documented safety in humans.
- Possibility of receiving free medications. Study medications are sometimes compared to drugs that are already on the market.
- Additional assessments and test may be performed for the study that insurance would not have covered.
- Additional time with staff during visits.
- Individualized visits with research staff.
- Research coordinators are dedicated, so you see familiar faces at your study visits.
- Participation offers additional treatment options that would not otherwise be available to our patients.
Some challenges of participating in clinical research
- You must keep close track of medications that you take during the study. Your clinical research coordinator will help you do this.
- Study visits may need to be scheduled more frequently than your regular physicians visits to ensure your safety.
- Possibility of receiving a placebo. A placebo is an inactive substance. Sometimes clinical research studies use a group of participants that receive placebo in order to demonstrate that the drug being studied is effective. Patients are generally assigned to a group in a random, “blinded” way. Blinded means that the participants, and often the physician will not know who is receiving study medication and who is receiving placebo.
- Even though drugs in these stages of research have some documented history of safety, it is important to remember that most of the drugs are not yet approved by the FDA. The safety of the drug is still being evaluated throughout the trial. There may be unknown effects of the drugs. If you are participating in a clinical trial, safety updates will be passed on to you as they become available.
The safety of our patients is our number one priority. Through our day-to-day practice and our participation in clinical trials, our staff is dedicated to caring for you. We take great care in choosing the clinical trials that offer the greatest possible benefit to our patients while exposing them to the least possible risk. Our first concern is always you.
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, please ask your doctor or nurse for details.