Participating in Clinical Trials
Participating in clinical research at Bascom Palmer can benefit individuals in several ways. A clinical trial may provide access to new and experimental treatments that may not be available through standard medical care. Participating in research can help advance medical knowledge and improve the understanding and treatment of eye diseases. However, it's important to understand the risks and benefits of participating in a clinical trial and to consult with a doctor before making a decision. Participating can also help people with a specific eye condition connect with other individuals affected by the same condition. Additionally, clinical trial can also provide a sense of hope and empowerment to participants that they are contributing to the betterment of the eye health care.
Clinical Trial Interventions
Clinical trials are conducted in a controlled and systematic manner to test specific interventions according to the research plan or protocol. These interventions may be medical products, such as drugs, devices, procedures, or lifestyle changes. Clinical trials may compare a new medical approach to a standard one that is already available, to a placebo that contains no active ingredients, or to no intervention. Some clinical trials compare interventions that are already available to each other. When a new product or approach is being studied, it is not usually known whether it will be helpful, harmful, or no different than available alternatives (including no intervention). The investigators try to determine the safety and efficacy of the intervention by measuring certain outcomes in the participants.
Phases of Clinical Trials
Clinical trials used in drug development are sometimes described by phase. These phases are defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):