Clinical Research

Clinical Research Studies

Research is done to answer a question. Clinical research is done to answer a medical question such as, "How do we find a better way of taking care of people?" Finding a  better way may mean testing a medication, assessing a piece of equipment, or trying another way of doing things. Other words that describe research are clinical trials, protocols, survey or experiment.

Participation in research is voluntary. The decision to participate is yours and no one else's. People decide to participate in research for many reasons. Some common reasons for participating are that it may help them personally, it may help someone else or someone they know. 

Morton Plant Mease wants to provide its community with a variety of health care services which includes opportunities to participate in research. Morton Plant Mease is currently involved in research studies that include cancer treatment, stroke treatment, heart disease, orthopedics, and  brain tumors. If someone asks you to participate in a research trial, here are some questions you may want to ask:

• Why is the research being done?
• Will the research help me personally?
• Can I leave the study at any time?
• Will it cost me anything? 

Other sources of information for taking part in research trials can be found at the US Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Human Research Protection: 866-447-4777: HHS.gov/OHRP/Outreach or US National Cancer Institute: 800-4-(CANCER) or 800-422-6237: Cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learning

For additional information, call Morton Plant Mease at (727) 461-8519 or e-mail us at MPM.ClinicalResearch@baycare.org.