Clinical research is medical research that involves people to advance medicine and improve knowledge. Clinical trials test new treatments and therapies and are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Clinical trials can also include long–term natural history studies, which provide valuable information about how disease and health progress.
All clinical studies are based on a set of rules called a protocol. A protocol describes what types of people may participate in the study; the schedule of tests, procedures, medications, and dosages; and the length of the study. While in a clinical study, participants are seen regularly by the research staff to monitor their health and to determine the safety and effectiveness of their treatment.
How to Become a Study Participant
Before enrolling in a clinical trial, you will undergo the informed consent process. At this time, the investigator will explain the purpose of the trial, its expected benefits, any possible risks or side effects, and what your role will be. This is the time to ask questions! If you want to join the trial, you must sign the informed consent document. Your participation in a clinical trial is voluntary and you can leave a clinical trial at any time without penalty.
For additional information about our clinical research program or how to become a study participant, please contact Betty-Jane Sloan at bjsloan@nyp.org or 646-317-0701.
Learn more about the research team and our current clinical trials below.