What Is a Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a medical strategy, treatment or device is safe and effective for humans. These studies may also show which medical approaches work best for certain illnesses or groups of people. Clinical trials produce information that helps patients and their health-care providers make better health-related decisions.
At Main Line Spine, these these trials incorporate state-of-the-art patient care, while carefully evaluating how best to apply the most recent innovations in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
The safety of study participants is our top priority.
Why Participate?
By participating in clinical research, you help accelerate medical science by providing valuable insights into potential treatments and methods of prevention. Participants with an illness or disease participate to help others, but also to possibly receive the newest treatment and to have the additional care and attention from the clinical trial staff.
Volunteering for a clinical study is a personal choice. You have no obligation to do so, and participation is not right for everyone. After enrolling in a study, you may leave at any time for any reason.
Eligibility
Researchers follow clinical trials guidelines when deciding who can participate in a study. These guidelines are called Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria. These criteria are based on factors such as age, gender, the type and stage of a disease, treatment history, and other medical conditions. Our trial coordinators can provide additional information about individual trials.
Before enrolling in a clinical trial, you will undergo the informed consent process. At this time, the investigator will explain the purpose of the trial, its expected benefits, any possible risks or side effects, and what your role will be. This is the time to ask questions! If you want to join the trial, you must sign the informed consent documents. You can leave a clinical trial at any time without penalty.
Our Role at Main Line Spine
At Main Line Spine, part of our commitment to our community includes conducting medical research with the goal to help our patients live longer, healthier lives. We participate in clinical trials in order to offer new and innovative treatments to our patients with low back pain, joint issues and a variety of other musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions.
Questions and Participation
If you have questions about clinical trials at Main Line Spine or would like to participate in one, please contact:
Main Line Spine Clinical Research Center
(610) 337-3111 Ext. 173