Grand River Hospital participates in a variety of clinical trials that contribute to improving patient care.
If you are interested in learning more about clinical trials and how you can participate, please read the information below:
What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials are a formal way to evaluate if a new treatment, which could be a medication or other type of therapy, is better than what is currently used to treat a condition or disease. Clinical trials are important because that is how researchers test new treatments and establish whether they should be adopted as new standard treatments for patients. Clinical trials help determine the safest options to deliver the best treatments in the right way to the people who most need them. There are a number of ways that trials may benefit patients.
Are clinical trials safe?
Every clinical trial must be approved and monitored by a Research Ethics Board to make sure the risks are as low as possible and are worth any potential benefits. Once the trial is approved by the REB, the organizers of the study must follow a careful plan, called a protocol, that describes exactly what will happen during the study. You will know the full details of the protocol prior to joining any clinical trial. Physicians, nurses, sponsors, auditors, statisticians, and federal and nonfederal regulatory bodies carefully monitor the actual conduct and safety of protocols.
What type of clinical trial work do you do at GRH?
Many clinicians working at Grand River Hospital collaborate with academic institutions, as well as government and private agencies, to conduct clinical trials that contribute to improving patient care. We also promote other types of research projects such as prevention, diagnostic, screening and quality of life studies.
How would I know if I am eligible to participate in a clinical trial?
To be included in research, you must agree to take part. You may drop out of a research study at any time, even if you already agreed to participate. Saying no to participating in research will not change your standard medical care in any way. Each research study is different. Each study tries to find answers to a specific question. Researchers must follow strict rules to decide who may take part in research. Not everyone with the disease or problem that is being studied can take part in a research study. Please enquire with your treating physician whether you can benefit from participating in a clinical trial.
What is informed consent?
Informed consent is a process that helps you learn about the research study. After learning about the study, you will be able to ask the physicians or one of the study coordinators questions. You should only agree to take part after you clearly understand the study and feel comfortable. You should take time to talk over your decision with your doctors, family, and friends. If you agree to take part, you will be asked to sign an "informed consent form."
What happens when the study is over?
At the end of a study, the researchers analyze the data that were collected from all participants throughout the study. Findings and data collected about you will be compared to other participants. Data will also be shared with experts and various government agencies responsible for the approval of new drugs, biologics and devices. Not all experimental treatments receive final approval in the end.
Where can I find more information about clinical trials?
There are a number of ways to learn more:
- To learn more about current clinical trials open at GRH visit the ClinicalTrials.gov registry and search "Grand River Hospital"
- For general education and information on clinical trials visit website itstartwithme.ca