Our Commitment to Study Participants
Since 1984, healthy adults have come to our facilities to participate in both overnight and outpatient clinical research studies to test new drugs for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Many people participate because they want to help advance medical science, however, qualified participants are compensated for the time they spend in the study, as well as travel time.
How to Participate
If you are interested in participating in a study, begin by checking our current study listings online. If you see one you’re interested in, call the Recruitment Hotline at 1-800-580-2184 to begin the screening process. During this interview, you'll be asked a series of questions about your medical history. If you meet the initial requirements on the phone, you'll be scheduled to come into our facility for a screening session including a complete physical exam that usually includes lab work, an EKG and an evaluation by a physician at our expense. The staff will explain the study details at this time and give you all of the requirements. Many studies require that you stop consuming alcohol, grapefruit, caffeine and other products for a designated amount of time before you begin a study. Medications are similarly restricted. If you pass the on-site screening, your study date will be scheduled.
Study Routine
If you are selected to participate in an overnight clinical trial, you’ll begin by checking in with a study coordinator who will ask you a few simple questions such as, “Have you had caffeine or taken an over-the-counter medication recently?” A urine sample is usually required to screen for drugs, and in the case of women, it is sometimes used to test for pregnancy.
Next, you'll be shown to a comfortable dorm room with a private locker where you’ll receive all of your study instructions and a clipboard containing a personalized schedule of events. During this time you're free to use CEDRA's wireless access, talk on the phone, read, watch movies, play video games or play pool with other participants.
The next morning clinic technicians will check your vital signs and draw blood, and administer the study medication. After dosing, you'll follow the schedule on your clipboard, which will include various procedures at designated times such as vital signs, EKGs and blood collections. In many studies, you are required to remain seated in a specific area for a designated amount of time after dosing (usually four hours). This is a time to read, get online, talk with a friend or watch movies. When this time has passed, you can again move around the facility and have complete access to the recreation room, computer room and lounge. You will continue with your procedure schedule throughout the day and be served lunch, dinner and an evening snack. Snacks are dependent on the guidelines of the study and are not necessarily guaranteed. Checkout is typically the following morning, but may be later, depending on the study.
Help Us, Help Yourself
The majority of CEDRA's clinical trial participants are repeat visitors. They find it’s an ideal time to relax, read a book or watch a movie...and get paid for doing it. The friendly staff and comfortable facilities keep them returning time and time again. Participants also enjoy meeting new people and creating lasting friendships.
If you’d be interested in participating in a CEDRA study, click here to see the current study listings.
