Clinical Research at Hunterdon Medical Center

Clinical trials or clinical research are studies that involve patient volunteers to help find different ways to treat diseases. Each study is designed to answer specific scientific questions and help find potentially better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat a particular condition.

What is Clinical Research?

Clinical research is a vital component in the development of new drugs. The process of drug development starts in the laboratory. Scientists develop a compound in the hopes that it will improve or cure a disease. Only after this compound is tested and proven to be safe and effective can it be approved. This process of testing is called clinical research.

Clinical research studies are carefully designed so that physicians not only test the effectiveness of the compound but also monitor the safety of the participants. Before a clinical study can begin, it is reviewed and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. In addition, institutions such as hospitals have Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). IRBs are comprised of individuals whose mission is to monitor research studies to make sure the rights of volunteers are fully protected and the risks of the research are minimized.

Once you enter clinical research you are assigned a study group. You may receive the compound being studied or you may receive a placebo. A placebo or sugar pill is used if the compound of interest is in fact effective. Physicians who conduct clinical research are called investigators. The investigator's principal responsibility is to the volunteer to be sure that their safety is being safeguarded.

During the study, it is important to discuss your medical condition with the study personnel and that you take the medication as prescribed, keep all of your study visits and answer the investigator's questions truthfully. Your study investigators need to be informed of any changes in your medical condition, no matter how minor they may seem.

Every volunteer in a clinical trial is extremely important. Without volunteers, there would be no new drugs to fight diseases and ailments. By participating in a clinical trial, you are helping yourself and others like you live longer and healthier lives now and far into the future.

Current clinical trials for Diabetes and Endocrinology

   Investigational Medication Study for treatment of Type 2 Diabetes 1 page pdf format (1,672 KB)