Though there is a large body of medical literature to guide us, it is not always enough.  Some medical problems do not have clear solutions.  Medical research tries to find answers to many of these questions.  Research is conducted in the laboratory often for many years before an investigational drug, device or procedure becomes available to clinical study participants.  Only the most promising new treatments make it to the human clinical study stage.

When you participate in a clinical study:

• You can play a more active role in your own health care
• Potentially gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available 
• Help others by contributing to medical research