What is a Clinical Trial

Volunteering at ATP Clinical Research to participate in a clinical research study is one way you can contribute to the understanding of human diseases and the development of new drugs.

Our clinical research studies are carefully designed to test the effects of new drugs and medical procedures on a group of people. Clinical research studies are an important step in making these new medicines available because they measure the medicine´s ability to treat a condition, its safety, and its possible side effects. Remember, all existing medicines were once in a clinical trial.

Clinical research studies can involve some risk; Dr. Gus Alva will clearly explain to you what the possible risks of the study are before you agree to participate. The risks also will be identified in the consent form that you will be asked to sign. Studies maybe randomized, meaning some participants will receive the medicine, while others may receive the standard, current medicine for comparison or no medicine at all if the study has a placebo as part of the design. So even if a volunteer has a specific disease and wants to participate in a study to be exposed to new medicines, in a randomized study they may or may not receive the new medicine.

All ATP Clinical Research studies cover all the costs of examinations and procedures required for the study and in most cases the volunteer and caregiver are compensated for participation, these exams may also uncover unknown medical conditions helping with early detection. Thus our studies are designed to offer greater benefit to society. All of our research studies require informed consent ­ an agreement to participate in the study. Study risks, benefits, and procedures are explained by Dr. Gus Alva during the informed consent process. This process allows the volunteer to ask questions and exchange information freely with the researchers. Dr. Gus Alva is responsible for managing the study and must ensure that informed consent is obtained from each research volunteer before that person participates in the clinical research study.

All studies also are reviewed and monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB is an institution´s group of health care professionals and community members charged with reviewing and approving a clinical study before it begins. The IRB carefully reviews study-related activities, including procedures and documentation, because its primary responsibility is to protect the safety and the rights of study participants.