Participation in a clinical trial is an opportunity to help shape the future of medicine. Researchers use clinical trials to find new and innovative ways to advance medicine and potentially save lives, but those advancements wouldn’t be possible without participants. If you’re considering taking part in a clinical trial, you probably have a number of questions about what happens during the trial. You also might be wondering what happens after the trial concludes. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we hear about with the conclusion of a clinical trial:
1. What happens after a clinical trial ends?
After a clinical trial is complete, researchers will carefully analyze the information collected and draw conclusions about what the findings mean or whether further testing is needed. More testing might be needed at the end of a phase I or phase II trial, or researches could decide to stop testing because the treatment or procedure was not effective. At the end of a phase III trial, researchers will use their findings to determine whether the results have medical importance.
2. What do researchers do with clinical trial results?
Clinical trial results are usually part of a larger overall study that brings together a wide range of information and results from other trials. When the results are combined, researchers can decide the effectiveness, safety, and applicability of new medicines or medical procedures. At the conclusion of a phase III trial, researchers may submit the results to government agencies for marketing approval. Once a new medicine or approach has been proven safe and effective in a clinical trial, it may become a new standard medical practice.
3. Can participants access their clinical trial results?
Typically, medical privacy constraints require researchers to keep certain details of trial results confidential, even from participants. However, participants can ask the research team ahead of time if they will be able to view their personal results.
4. Are clinical trial results available to the public?
The overall results from clinical trials are often published in peer-reviewed medical or scientific journals, as the peer review process ensures that the trial’s analysis and conclusions are scientifically sound. If the results are significant and newsworthy, they might be featured in news reports or discussed at scientific conferences or meetings. Any results that are published can be found in the U.S. Library of Medicine’s database. Clinical trial participants can ask researchers for the specific name of the study to find it in the database later.
Participate in a clinical trial at Synergy San Diego
If you want to help make medical history, Synergy San Diego is currently offering participation opportunities in a number of clinical research studies. We’re dedicated to finding new and exciting treatments for a range of medical conditions, and the wellbeing and safety of our participants is always our first priority. Fill out our contact form or call us at (619) 303-6130 to find out more about our current trials and your eligibility.