Clinical Trials
University Urology Associates is highly experienced in conducting
clinical research studies for several urologic conditions and diseases such as:
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
- Enlarged Prostate
- Urinating Problems
- Prostatitis
- Prostate Cancer
- Premature Ejaculation
- Low Testosterone
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Understanding the Patient's Role in Medical Research and Clinical Trials
Participating in a clinical trial may provide individuals first access to the newest drugs,
treatments or disease management processes. Learn more about participation in medical research
with this information.
What is a clinical trial?
Clinical trials include tests of new drugs or medical treatments in people to see if they are
safe and if they work.
What happens in a trial?
Researchers devise questions to answer and design a study plan, or protocol. It outlines who
may participate, what tests, procedures or medications they will get, and how long the trial
will last.
Researchers check participants' health and give instructions at the onset. They carefully
monitor volunteers during the study and keep in touch after the study is complete.
Who can participate?
Volunteers must meet certain criteria based on factors such as age, gender and health status.
These are to ensure that researchers will be able to answer the questions they plan to study
and to keep participants safe.
Why should I enter a clinical trial?
You can take a more active role in your health care, gain early access to new drugs and
treatments, obtain expert medical care, and help others by contributing to medical research.
What are the risks?
Risks vary based on the study. It is very important that you discuss them with your doctor.
Side effects may be unpleasant, serious or even endanger your life. Some may be unexpected or
appear after treatment ends. The treatment may not work, or you may be in a placebo group
that gets no treatment. There may be extra demands on your time and attention.
How will I be protected?
Before you decide to participate, you learn the key facts about a trial through a process
called informed consent. Then you sign an informed consent document. The informed consent is
not a contract; you can leave the study at any time, for any reason. Throughout the study you
will be provided any additional information.
Also, independent review boards approve and monitor all trials to make sure the risks are
as low as possible, the trial is ethical and participants' rights are protected.
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Questions patients should ask researchers
Asking questions may help you decide whether to enter a clinical trial.
- What is the study trying to find out?
- Who put it together?
- Who is going to be in the study?
- Who will be in charge of my care?
- What exams, tests and treatments will I have?
- Will I need to be hospitalized?
- How much time will it take?
- How do the possible side effects, risks and benefits of the study treatment compare with my current treatment and other choices?
- How will I be protected from harm?
- How long will the study last?
- What follow-up is planned?
- Who will pay for the treatment and other expenses?
- How will my privacy be protected?
- Will I get the results?
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Website Homepages for Our Current Studies
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Useful Links for Clinical Research
- The Food and Drug Administration and the Office of Special Health Issues provides general information about clinical trials.
- ClinicalTrials.gov and CenterWatch.com offer information about specific clinical trials.
- The National Cancer Institute supplies information about cancer research studies.
- AIDSinfo furnishes research studies related to AIDS and HIV.
- CISCRP (Center for Information on Study on Clinical Research Participation) provides potential research subjects with information to assist them in making an informed decision on whether or not to participate in a research study.
- WebMD offers information such as commonly asked questions about clinical research.
- PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America) provides a database for all medicines currently in clinical trials or at FDA review.
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Miscellaneous Clinical Research
The clinical research team at University Urology Associates has received training in
SAF-T-PAK and Good Clinical Practice.
Please visit the CenterWatch.com Web site to obtain more detailed information on
University Urology Associates ongoing clinical trials at:
http://www.centerwatch.com/professional/pro1469.html
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