Global Medical Institutes, LLC

Participation in Clinical Trials I Glossary I General Information on Clinical Trials

An Introduction to Clinical Trials
Choosing to participate in a clinical trial is an important personal decision. The following frequently asked questions provide introductory information about clinical trials. In addition, it is often helpful to talk to a physician, family members, or friends about deciding to join a trial. After identifying some trial options, the next step is to contact the study research staff and ask questions about specific trials.
»  What is a clinical trial?
»  Why participate in a clinical trial?
»  Where do the ideas for trials come from?
»  Who sponsors clinical trials?
»  What is a protocol?
»  What is a placebo?
»  What is a control or control group?
»  What are the different types of clinical trials?
»  What are the phases of clinical trials?

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines, new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials (also called medical research and research studies) are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people.