Clinical Research & Trials

At University Hospitals Clinical Research Center, our mission is to responsibly grow research and scientific innovation to improve patient care. Our vision is that every patient entering the UH system will be given an option to learn about and participate in a research study.

What are Clinical Research Studies?

Clinical research studies are projects involving people that answer specific health questions. They can be used to find new treatments, new ways of using established treatments, to observe how people are affected by different factors, and even to learn more about medicine and healthcare from the patient’s point of view. In fact, many of the treatments and therapies used today are the result of research studies.

Clinical trials are a type of research study used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective.

How Can You Participate?

Research participants have always played a vital role in medical research, they make healthcare treatments possible! The health of millions have been improved as a result of advances in science and technology, and the willingness of research participants like you who help by taking part in clinical research studies and clinical trials. It is important for research studies to include participants from diverse populations. As a participant, you can benefit the society by helping researchers find better treatments for you and others in the future. You can help researchers discover alternative ways to fight disease, and also help find out if people process medicines and treatments differently.

How Am I Protected

Each research study and clinical trial is approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), a panel of health care professionals and interested community members, to ensure that risks are monitored and federal guidelines are followed. The University Hospitals IRB ensures the rights and welfare of people participating in research studies and clinical trials both before and during their participation. University Hospitals Human Research Protection Program is accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP).