Clinical Trials

Mercy Medical Center participates in a number of investigative clinical trials that are vital in developing new treatment options for cancers and other health conditions. Our doctors partner with professional organizations and sponsors to offer patients access to emerging therapies that can help unlock new possibilities in detection, treatment and recovery.

What are Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials are research studies meant to evaluate the impact of medical and behavioral treatments or therapies on people.

How do Clinical Trials work?

  1. Research staff explain the purpose of the trial to you and what your involvement would entail.
  2. If you agree to participate, you sign a consent form.
  3. Research staff screens you to ensure you meet the trial requirements.
  4. If you meet the requirements, you attend your first visit with the researchers (known as a “baseline” visit).
  5. For trials testing a form of treatment, researchers randomly assign you to either the treatment group (which receives the treatment) or the control group (which does not receive the treatment). 
  6. You follow the researchers’ directions and alert them to any concerns.
  7. As scheduled, you attend follow-up visits with the researchers to evaluate and discuss your current condition.

What happens after a Clinical Trial?

After a clinical trials ends, the researchers analyze the data they have gathered from you and your fellow participants. They draw conclusions based on this analysis, which can contribute to the development of new therapies and further advance our understanding of human health.

Why participate in a Clinical Trial?

You may want to participate in a clinical trial if:

  • There are no treatments for your health condition
  • There are treatments for your health condition, but none of them have worked for you
  • You want to contribute to the advancement of medical science

What kinds of health conditions do Mercy researchers study?

Mercy researchers conduct clinical trials on numerous health conditions, including breast cancer, gastrointestinal disease, arthritis and more.

How can I get involved in one of Mercy’s Clinical Trials?

To learn more about participating in a Mercy clinical trial, please visit our Research & Clinical Trials page.