Park Nicollet Institute > Research > Participate in Research

Participate in research

Clinical research is the study of health and illness in people. Through clinical research, we learn how to prevent and treat illness by developing and testing new medicines, vaccines and medical devices and procedures. As a result, Park Nicollet physicians stay up-to-date on the latest therapy choices and offer the most current treatments to patients.

People who participate in research studies can benefit in many ways. They gain cutting-edge information about new technologies and treatments, greater confidence in management of their conditions and the satisfaction that they are contributing to the advancement of science and medical knowledge that may benefit others.

Through clinical research, we study:

• new medications, procedures and devices
• how well medications work
• how the human body works
• medical tests
• the best types of patient care

Safeguards

Clinical research is governed by federal, state and local laws and international codes of ethics. All research at Park Nicollet must be reviewed by a committee called an Institutional Review Board (IRB). An IRB ensures that the rights and welfare of patients in research studies are protected. The IRB is responsible for ensuring that patients and their families are informed about clinical research before they agree to participate and sign a consent document. The IRB continues to monitor and oversee research while it is being conducted.