PARTICIPATING IN RESEARCH 

Choosing to participate in a medical research project is an important personal decision. It is often helpful to talk to a physician, family member and/or friends about deciding to join a trial. After reviewing the current research trial options, you may find one or more of interest to you. The next step is to contact the study research staff and ask questions about specific trials.

Participating in a research trial allows you to play a more active role in your own health care. You may gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available to the general public. When you enroll in a research study, it is not known if the experimental drug, medical device or treatment will help you more than standard medical treatment. Depending on the type of study, you may or may not receive the experimental drug, device, or treament. In some types of trials, "Blinded" trials, you will not know during the course of the research whether or not you are receivng the experimental treatment.

Participation in research provides valuable insight to researchers who are seeking to improve and advance medical care. Most of the advanced medical technologies in use today would not have been available without research involving human subjects.

Providence Medical Research Center is dedicated to providing our region with the latest therapies and treatment approaches while ensuring that participants in research studies are protected by adherence to the highest ethical standards. Research studies and clinical trials often provide patients with cutting-edge treatments that would not be available outside of the research arena.

MAY I ENROLL IN A TRIAL?

If you are interested in enrolling in a research trial, review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) at clinical trials.gov. Review our list of currently enrolling studies to see if any are suited to your needs. Or you may contact our office directly for more information.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
also provides a helpful brochure for those people interested in participating in research. It provides a list of questions to ask researchers before you participate. To view this brochure click here.

Researchinfo@providence.org
(509) 474-4345
(800) 377-0458

PATIENT'S RIGHTS

Protection of the rights and safety of patients involved in research is a priority at Providence Medical Research Center.

• Every research project involving human participants is carefully scrutinized and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Spokane (IRB). The IRB-Spokane is a board of health care experts, members of the clergy and the general public.
• Research done at Providence Medical Research falls within the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has approved the use of and has oversight for all drugs or medical devices used in research involving human subjects.
• As part of our normal research procedures, the research department, in conjunction with physician investigators, continuously monitors and evaluates the impact of research treatments or modalities on patients to further ensure their safety.

FAQ: Individuals interested in research often have many questions about the "what", "how" and "why" of research. The National Institutes of Health provide information for individuals who are considering participating in research.

For the most frequently asked questions about research, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/info/resources

For a glossary of research terms, click here.

CURRENT STUDIES

The following is a list of research studies that are currently enrolling participants. There is a brief description of each study along with what type of person may enroll. For greater detail regarding each study, contact the study coordinator.

• Basic Sciences; cell biology
• Cardiology: Adult & Pediatric
• Diabetes
• Endocrinology (Hormone Systems)
• Humanitarian Use Devices
• Interventional Radiology (Medical Procedures Using Radiologic Imaging)
• Nephrology & Hypertension: Adult & Pediatric (Kidney & Blood Pressure)
• Neurology  (Nervous System)
• Nutrition  
• Pediatrics
• Perinatology
• Pulmonary (Lung)
• Transplant 
• Vascular (Blood Vessels)

Find Us

For driving directions to our facility, click on the Map Quest link below.

Pertinent Links

• Providence Regional Cancer Center: http://www.providencecancercenter.org/
• National Institutes of Health: http://health.nih.gov/
• Sacred Heart Children's Hospital http://www.shmcchildren.org/