Question 1

What are clinical trials and why are they important?

Accepted Answer

A clinical trial, also known as a clinical study, is vital volunteer-based research that helps doctors and scientists learn more about preventing, diagnosing, and treating medical conditions. Through these thoroughly planned studies, information can be documented for researchers to determine if new medications, treatments, or medical devices are safe, effective, and how they compare to any available existing options. The information gathered also increase our understanding of the specific medical condition being researched, explore new ways to reduce symptoms and manage health conditions for better quality of life in current patients and future generations, enhance long-term health outcomes for patients all around the world, and provide the scientific evidence needed for regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to evaluate if a new treatment should be approved.Every approved medication or vaccine, treatment option, and many medical devices available today were developed because volunteers chose to participate in clinical research.

Question 2

What is the clinical trial process like?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is easy, and you are always welcome to ask questions through every part of the clinical trial process. Your participation is completely voluntary too, so you can choose to decline or withdraw from a study at any time, for any reason. Overall, clinical trials have these main steps:Step 1: Initial Consultation and Pre-Screening​​Simply contact one of our clinical research sites to speak with a member of our team about the study's purpose and to discuss what participation might involve. If you're interested, you'll complete a brief pre-screening which will help determine if the study could be a good and safe fit for you based on your medical history, current medications, and other eligibility criteria specific to that study.Step 2: In-Person Screening Visit and Informed Consent​If you might be eligible for the study, you'll be invited to one of our research locations for a screening visit. During the visit, our research team will explain the study in detail, review the informed consent form with you, and complete any necessary health assessments to determine if you qualify for the study. If you qualify and choose to participate in the study, you'll be enrolled and begin following the plan outlined by your research team who are dedicated to keeping you informed through the whole study.Step 3: Study Visits and Ongoing MonitoringDuring the study, you'll attend scheduled visits and complete study-related activities that might include health assessments or questionnaires. Your research team will also be with you every step of the way and prioritizing your safety by monitoring your health, answering your questions, and providing guidance if you experience any concerns.Step 4: Study CompletionOnce you finish all required study visits and assessments, your participation in the clinical trial is completed. Congratulations, you helped make a vital impact on advancing medical discoveries and improving healthcare!

Question 3

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The highest priority in every clinical trial is the safety of its participants.Before a study can begin, it is carefully and extensively reviewed to help ensure it is ethical, the risks are as low as possible, and that participants’ rights are protected. Each study follows a detailed plan, called a protocol, which outlines exactly when, how, and what researchers will do. Protocols also follow strict ethical and legal guidelines, safety regulations and federal laws designed to protect participants.Before joining a study, you'll receive detailed information about the purpose of the research, what to expect, possible risks and benefits, and what your rights are as a participant. You have plenty of time to ask questions before you decide to participate, and during the study you always have the opportunity to ask questions.

Question 4

Will my personal information be protected?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your privacy is incredibly important and it will be protected. Clinical trials handle personal information confidentially in accordance with the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines, applicable privacy laws and research regulations. Ensuring your data is only shared in the ways required for research purposes.

Question 5

Do I have to be ill to participate in a clinical trial?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the clinical trial, because every study is uniquely different in "how" and "what" questions it is trying to find answers to. While certain studies might focus on participants with specific illnesses or conditions, some studies allow healthy people to participate. In fact, many studies want and need healthy volunteers because it provides helpful and valuable information that can be compared to people who have a particular illness or condition; helping researchers better understand how a condition affects others.If you're interested in being a healthy volunteer, please contact our research team to see if any of our current studies are the right fit for you.

Question 6

Will I receive medical care during the study?

Accepted Answer

If you decide to participate in a study, you'll receive study-related medical assessments and participant care from our experienced team of physicians, nurses, and clinical research professionals who will closely monitor your health and well-being at no-cost to you. Many of our studies also offer financial compensation for study-related time and travel, which those details will be shared and explained to you in the beginning so you can decide if a study is the right fit for you.While we provide the applicable medical services that are protocol-required during the study (such as potential physical exams, laboratory tests, and more), clinical research is not a replacement for your regular medical care. We strongly encourage you to continue seeing your primary care physician to mange your general health, while our research team oversees the study-related care.

About Us

Therapeutic Expertise

Partner with a research network that combines therapeutic expertise, operational excellence, experienced investigators, and a commitment to support ethical, patient-centered research that delivers high-quality trials and meaningful outcomes to advance healthcare and access to treatments.

Cross-Therapeutic Approach

We have the infrastructure, healthcare providers, and operational processes to manage clinical trials across a broad range of medical disciplines, which allows us to offer our sponsors:

Our Clinical Research Sites

Our fully owned facilities across Florida are long-standing, trusted members of their communities. Staffed by friendly, experienced professionals, each location is dedicated to ensuring every visitor feels welcome while supporting the health and well-being of the communities we proudly serve.

Satellite Locations

Our satellite offices make it easier for patients to participate in clinical research by improving access to study opportunities and reducing travel while providing the same exceptional quality, safety, and care that defines Prestige Clinical Research Network.

Advance Research Together

Resources

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Why You Should Volunteer

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