Advancing Healthcare in Nevada Through Research
11 de enero de 2024
Did you know that the Renown Research Office has partnered with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Clinical Research Office to form the Integrated Clinical Research Office?
This means we are able to provide more clinical research opportunities and expertise to our northern Nevada community than ever before. Over the past two years, we have significantly expanded our clinical trial offerings from 35 to 101 studies to meet the healthcare needs of our community members and keep care options local.
Currently, we offer clinical research as a care opportunity in areas such as cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology, oncology, pediatrics, neurology and immunizations.
What is Clinical Research?
Clinical research is simply medical research that involves human volunteers (participants). Research studies have to be reviewed and approved by ethics committees to ensure that the questions researchers want to answer are appropriate and that research participants are protected throughout the study.
Often when we talk about clinical research, we are referring to a clinical trial. Clinical trials are a type of clinical research study that places research participants into groups to study the safety and effectiveness of new medications and devices on a specific health outcome. Clinical trials follow rigorous standards and must pass four phases of testing, where each phase works progressively to understand the correct dosing and effects in larger and more diverse groups of people.
Why is Clinical Research Important?
Did you know that all medications, diagnostic tests and medical devices prescribed and used today by physicians and health practitioners were once tested in clinical trials? Clinical research advances medical care by helping us understand how to prevent disease and to provide new and better treatments for a wide range of health conditions.
At Renown Health, we know the importance of offering the latest opportunities in healthcare, especially when standard of care options have been exhausted.
What Are Some Considerations for Participating in Clinical Research?
Research volunteers are often drawn to participating in studies because they are interested in accessing the latest health care treatments and/or they want to contribute to scientific discovery.
If you are interested in becoming a research volunteer, you should first make sure you fully understand what the study and researcher is asking you to do and consider whether you are comfortable with the study activities and commitments to time and travel such as for required study appointments.
Remember, participating in a research study is completely voluntary. That means you choose whether to participate, and you can choose to stop participating in a research study at any time, for any reason.
Where Can I Find More Information About Clinical Research?
There are many resources you can access if you have questions or want to learn more about clinical research. Your healthcare provider can assist you in your healthcare journey by discussing care options and exploring if participating in a clinical trial may be right for you.
The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health recently launched their Clinical Trials Info for Nevadans webpage which provides information on finding clinical trials in Nevada, understanding the importance of diversity in clinical trials, and linked resources to learn more about clinical trials. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Human Research Protections provides informational videos, questions to ask researchers prior to participating and information on regulations in place to protect research participants.
Finally, at the Renown Research Office, we are always here to support your clinical research journey and can be reached at Renown-CRD@renown.org or 775-982-3646.
At Renown Health, our goal is to make it easy for patients to access clinical research as a care opportunity where patients can access a variety of standard care treatment options for their health condition or choose to participate in a clinical trial. For more information about clinical trial opportunities available to you or to ask any questions, contact the Renown Research Office at Renown-CRD@renown.org or 775-982-3646.