Clinical Trials
At St. Jude Heritage Medical Group, we are committed to providing patients with exceptional care, including the latest advances in medicine. Clinical research helps us accomplish this by bringing state-of-the-art treatments to our patients sooner and by advancing the practice of medicine with each new breakthrough.
We select only those clinical trials that we believe can offer real benefits to our patients—and we protect and closely monitor our patients through the entire clinical trial process. In addition, an Institutional Review Board (IRB)—comprised of physicians, researchers and community advocates—carefully evaluates the merits of each trial and ensures the clinical trial poses no unnecessary or inappropriate risks.
Current studies are available in:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Endocrinology and diabetes
- Gastroenterology
- Cancer – for cancer clinical trials call (714) 446-5642
- Rheumatology
To learn more about how you might benefit from participating in a clinical trial, talk to your doctor or contact one of our certified clinical research coordinators at (714) 447-8379.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study performed by medical professionals to evaluate new treatments. Through clinical studies, doctors find new and better ways to prevent, control and treat illnesses.
Each new treatment or medication is first studied in the laboratory to determine if it shows promise for patients who have a certain disease. Once a treatment has been evaluated in the lab, patients are asked to help test the therapy in a clinical trial. The new treatment must be proven safe and effective in clinical trials before earning Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval for general use.
Why participate?
There are many reasons to participate in a research study. Many volunteer to receive new treatments and therapies that are not available otherwise. Others want to contribute to the advancement of medicine and benefit others with a similar illness. Whatever the reason, volunteers participating in clinical research are the driving force behind the medical advances that improve and heal so many lives.
Each clinical trial has specific criteria or guidelines that are used to identify appropriate participants—and ensure their safety. These criteria are based on factors such as age, gender, the type and stage of a disease, previous treatment history, and other medical conditions.
What else do I need to know about clinical trials?
It's important that you have enough information to make a well-informed decision before participating in a clinical trial. To do this, we provide what's called an informed consent document that outlines all the information you need to know about the study. We'll go over the details of the study with you and want you to ask questions. You should only join a clinical trial if you feel you have enough information about the possible risks and benefits involved.
Joining a clinical trial is always voluntary and you may leave a study at any time.
How do I join a clinical trial?
If you are interested in learning how you might benefit from participating in a clinical trial, ask your doctor for more information or contact one of our certified clinical research coordinators at (714) 447-8379.