What is clinical research? Clinical studies are research studies in which real people participate as volunteers. Clinical research is a way for doctors and scientists to answer questions about healthcare. Research can find better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and disorders. There are many kinds of clinical research. For example, some studies test new medicines or other kinds of treatments. Some types of treatment offered in research studies are experimental, while others are well-proven. Other studies use interviews or other assessment methods (neuroimaging, etc.) to learn about health problems. What kind of research does your program do? We study the nature and causes of anxiety disorders and their treatment. Our studies involve people with and without anxiety disorders. Some of these studies involve treatment, others involve completing questionnaires, giving a blood sample, or participating in a neuroimaging study such as a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) scan. Who funds these studies? Studies are funded by the federal government (including the National Institutes of Health), by private foundations, and by various pharmaceutical companies. Why should I participate? Some reasons people take part in a research study are:
- To help others
- To possibly improve their own health
- To help advance science
- To gain access to treatments before they become widely available
- To access treatment options that might not be available outside of the research setting.
What types of treatment options are available if I have an anxiety disorder? For those struggling with an anxiety disorder, treatment options in our studies might include medication or psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy). How can I find out if I am eligible to participate? Call our study offices at (858) 534-6407 to find out what research studies are available. A member of our staff will determine if you meet the criteria for any of our on-going studies. Every study has guidelines to follow about who can and cannot be included as part of the study protocol. Eligibility is determined by a screening interview done in our offices after your Informed Consent has been obtained. What is Informed Consent? Before taking part in a study, each person will get a consent form that contains important written information about the study. It is important to read and understand the information in this form. A member of the research team will also talk to you about the information contained in the form. You should be sure all of your questions are answered before signing the consent form. A signed consent form does not mean that you cannot change your mind — a participant can leave a study at any time. What is a protocol? A protocol is a written plan that describes the goal of a research study and how the study will be conducted. For example, it describes the type of people needed to take part in the study. The protocol also outlines any procedures the participants will undergo. Will I be paid for participating? Some studies pay monetary compensation for participation. Others do not, although the cost of any medical assessment and clinical care during the study, including medications, is provided at no cost to you.