What Are Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials are research studies in which people volunteer to help find answers to specific health questions. When carefully conducted, they are the safest and fastest way to find new treatments and ways to improve health.

Why Are Clinical Trials Conducted?

  • to determine whether a new drug or device is safe and effective for people to use.
  • to study different ways to use standard treatments or current, approved treatments so that they will be more effective, easier to use, or decrease certain side effects.
  • to learn how to safely use a treatment in a population for which the treatment was not previously tested, such as children.

Are Clinical Trials Safe?

Regulations and policies have been developed to help protect the rights, safety, and well-being of people who take part in clinical trials and to help ensure that these studies are conducted according to strict scientific and ethical principles. Before a clinical research study can begin, an institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee (EC) must review and approve the study.

Before joining a clinical trial you will be given an informed consent document that describes your rights as a participant, as well as details about the study. Signing it indicates that you understand that the trial is research and that you may withdraw from the study at any time for any reason. The informed consent is part of the process that makes sure you understand the known risks associated with the study. The study team will inform you of the potential risks and benefits of study participation and answer any questions.

What Are the Benefits of Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?

  • Access to the latest treatments before they are widely available
  • Treatment and study related procedure at no cost
  • The opportunity to help with the discovery of new treatment options

Where Can I Learn More?

Oakland Hills Dermatology is enrolling patients in a variety of dermatological clinical trials. If you are interested in learning more about the clinical trials we are conducting at Oakland Hills Dermatology please reach out to us at (248) 858-2255 extension 4.