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HealthCare Partners� Clinical Research Center

Clinical studies are among the most important ways that the medical community searches for new or improved medications.

Clinical Studies and You

As a volunteer in a study, you can help us to enhance, perhaps even save, people�s lives. You may learn more about your own condition and the latest treatments available. This guide is designed to help answer your questions about participating in a clinical study with HealthCare Partners� Clinical Research Center, a division of HealthCare Partners Medical Group. Our research team is highly trained and works closely with many physicians throughout HealthCare Partners. Some of them may be your personal doctors

You Can Make a Big Difference

1	What is a clinical study?
2	What are some benefits of being a study volunteer?
3	Are clinical studies safe?
4	How do I find out more?
5	What kind of studies do we conduct?
6	Do I have to be a HealthCare Partners patient?

1	*What is a clinical study?*
	Clinical studies bring together physicians, study volunteers, and research sponsors dedicated to advancing medicine by determining whether a new drug or treatment is safe and effective. New drugs to treat a given condition are typically compared to the current drugs in use in a strict study protocol where results can be easily measured.
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2	*What are some benefits of being a study volunteer?*
	If you are approved as a qualified volunteer for a clinical trial: You may learn about a new drug for your condition. You may learn more about your condition and the latest treatments available. All study-related physical examinations, doctor visits, dietary counseling, medications, procedures, and tests are free of charge. Costs are covered by the research sponsor. You are contributing to society by helping researchers evaluate new medications or improve existing medications.
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3	*Are clinical studies safe?*
	Volunteer safety is the highest priority of any clinical study. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees clinical studies for medications not yet approved for general use. An independent scientific committee must approve and monitor all studies. You will be encouraged to discuss the study with our qualified staff to fully understand potential benefits and risks. Your medical condition will be monitored throughout the study. Our research staff will keep your personal physician informed about the procedures performed, test results, and medication administered during the study. Participation is completely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.
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4	*How do I find out more?*
	Please fill out the patients form to state your interest and learn more about the studies currently in progress.
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5	*What kind of studies do we conduct?*
	HealthCare Partners� Clinical Research Center conducts studies on medications that already have gone through several stages of testing or have been approved. This indicates that vast amounts of safety data have been collected. In some studies, for example, we research the effectiveness of a new approved drug in comparison to a commonly used medication. We conduct clinical studies in a full range of therapeutic areas, including: Allergy Men�s health Asthma Migraines/headaches Bronchitis Osteoarthritis Chest pain Osteoporosis Common colds Pneumonia Diabetes Rheumatoid arthritis Ear infection Skin disorders High blood pressure Sinusitis High cholesterol Urinary problems Influenza Women�s health
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6	*Do I have to be a HealthCare Partners patient?*
	No. You can participate in our studies whether or not you are a HealthCare Partners patient. If you are a patient, your physician will be informed of your participation in the study, should you qualify. For more information on how to join our medical group, call our Patient Support Center at (800) 403-4160.
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