Clinical research studies are a means of understanding diseases and of developing new treatments based on direct study and observation of people. When patients and healthy volunteers enroll in a clinical protocol or clinical trial, they become partners with members of the research team who are experts in their disease and who are searching for better ways to understand and treat disease. Their participation is essential for helping others with the same or similar diseases, both for today and in future generations.
At The University of Texas Houston GCRC patients can take part in clinical studies covering a wide range of medical diseases and conditions (see Studies).

Choosing to participate in clinical research is an important personal decision. Participation in a study is predicated on voluntary enrollment and a full understanding of what is involved in the study. This informed consent is a prerequisite for any study, and includes understanding the risks and benefits of taking part, what kinds of tests and treatments will be done, and how much time it will take.

To participate, patients and healthy volunteers must meet certain requirements that are different for each study. These inclusion/exclusion criteria are not used to reject people personally but rather to identify appropriate participants and to keep them safe.

The University Of Texas Houston Health Science Center Institutional Review Board reviews and approves every new study before it can begin, to ensure scientific rigor and to protect the rights and welfare of the study partcipants.

To take part, patients need to feel well informed, confident, and secure about participating. Speak to family members, doctors, researchers, and GCRC staff to see if participation in clinical research is appropriate for you.