What We Offer
Clinical Research Department
The Research Department was formed several years ago in an effort to better serve our patients and Henderson County and surrounding communities. Through Clinical Research we have the ability to provide medications or services that might otherwise not be available. In order to ensure that our study participants receive the best care possible, a set of criteria was developed by the FSHPC Patient Care and Ethics Committee for the selection of studies that we could do. These criteria include the following:
- Studies must enhance current services that we provide to our patients and/or the community (that is, it must benefit the patient),
- Studies must promote “best practices” in the Hospice and Palliative Care field, and
- Studies must have positive outcomes for the benefit of programs within our agency (e.g. residual monies from funded studies help support our Palliative Care program).
All prospective studies are reviewed and approved by our Patient Care and Ethics Committee using these criteria. In addition, an Institutional Review Board, or IRB, is a group of scientific and non-scientific members who perform the initial and ongoing ethical review of each research study with the patient’s safety and welfare in mind. All research with patients is required to be conducted according to federal guidelines designed to protect and benefit the patients.
What is a clinical research trial? A clinical trial is a research study in human volunteers to answer specific health questions. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people and ways to improve health.
Who can participate in a clinical trial? Study participants include current hospice and palliative care patients, as well as referrals we receive from physicians in Henderson County and surrounding communities. Participation in a research trial is completely voluntary. Any person who volunteers to participate in a research study is fully informed about the details of the study including the purpose, procedures, possible risks and discomforts, possible benefits, costs (if applicable), payment (if applicable), alternatives, and confidentiality of information. All patients who decide to participate must give their written consent by signing a study specific Informed Consent form prior to enrollment. Because participation is voluntary, any patient may decide to refuse to participate or to withdraw from a study at any time. A decision to decline participation in a research study will never impact a patient’s health care with our staff or that of any other physician in our community.
What happens during a clinical trial? The clinical trial process depends on the type of trial being conducted. The clinical research team checks the health of each participant at the beginning of the trial, give specific instructions for participating in the trial, monitor the participant carefully during the trial, and stay in touch after the trial is completed. The research team members conduct patient visits based upon each
study’s requirements. We keep a very close “watch” on participants who are active in the studies to assess any issues that may arise, and we work closely with the FSHPC team and/or the patient’s physician to keep them informed about each patient’s participation.
Why participate in a clinical trial? Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care. They can gain access to new treatments before they are widely available. They can also help others by contributing to medical knowledge, which will aid in improving treatment.
Types of trials / studies The types of studies vary. At any given time we have 3 or 4 studies for which we are actively enrolling. We have conducted survey studies and investigational drug trials. FSHPC primarily participates in studies that are geared toward symptom management rather than curative goals. Our research team collectively has over 25 years of experience and conducts all studies with a patient’s comfort in mind.
How to reach us If you would like more information about clinical research, or think you or someone you know may benefit from or have an interest in participation in one of our studies, please contact our Clinical Research Team at 828-692-6178, extension 359 or 175. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.