Clinical Trials Explained
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are an important way to discover better treatments and improve health care for everyone. They are research studies where volunteers partner with doctors and scientists to explore new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of health conditions.
The goal of a clinical trial is to find out if a new medicine or therapy is safe and effective. Some studies compare new treatments to current standard care, while others may use a placebo when no standard treatment exists.
Participation is always your choice. If you decide not to join a trial, you’ll still receive the best available care for your condition. Feel free to talk to your doctor if you have questions about clinical trials or want to learn more.
By taking part, you’re helping shape the future of medicine and offering hope to others.
What to Expect as a Clinical Trial Participant
Your doctor will help determine if you’re eligible to join a clinical trial. Each study has specific criteria to ensure safety and accuracy.
If you qualify and choose to participate, you’ll be asked to give your informed consent. From there, you’ll follow a structured plan (called a protocol) that outlines exactly what will happen during the study including:
- A schedule of tests, doctor visits, and treatments
- Keeping a diary or notes about your experience
- Support from a dedicated care team, which may include doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health professionals
Your Safety and Rights in Clinical Trials
At Kaiser Permanente, your safety is our top priority. Every clinical trial we offer is carefully reviewed and monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This ensures that any risks are minimized and balanced with potential benefits.
Clinical trials are held to the same high ethical and legal standards as routine medical care. They are also closely regulated by the FDA, with safeguards in place to protect your rights and ensure your well-being throughout the study. Researchers share study results with scientific communities and government agencies, but participant information is always kept confidential and never included in these reports.
If you have questions or concerns at any point, you can ask your doctor or the clinical trial coordinator.
KP Study Search
KP Study Search was created to inform patients, caregivers and investigators about the ongoing clinical trials and research studies conducted at Kaiser Permanente.