Located within Internal Medicine Associates of Charlotte is our clinical research department, The Center For Nutrition and Preventive Medicine. Our Medical Director and Principal Investigator, Matthew D. Acampora, MD has been conducting clinical trials since 1998 and continues to offer safe, ethical treatment options to the Charlotte community.
About Clinical Trials
Before a pharmaceutical drug can be approved by the FDA for use in the United States, it must go through several phases of testing, called clinical trials. During the clinical trial process, the potential drug is tested for safety and effectiveness. Volunteers are followed very closely by the doctor running the trial, called the Principal Investigator. Most clinical trials require regular office visit and more frequent medical test such as blood draws, ECGs, or physical exams. In addition, patients are often asked to keep careful record of changes to their health.
Clinical Study Participation
Deciding to participate in a clinical study is a choice that must be made after educating oneself about clinical studies and determining if you are a candidate for research. The most important aspect of clinical research studies is the health and well-being of our patients. It is our belief that an informed patient is a happier and healthier patient. That’s why our focus is on keeping you informed, answering your general questions about clinical research, and answering specific questions about our site and our trials.
Why Participate in a Clinical Research Trial?
You may be asking yourself, “Why should I participate in clinical research trials?” By participating in a clinical study, you will help to provide information to researchers about investigational treatments that may help your condition and the millions of other people living with that condition as well. You will also be one of the first participants involved in potentially ground-breaking research study that can have a profound impact on the field of medicine.
Additional Benefits of Participating in Clinical Trials
Other benefits of participating in clinical research trials abound. As part of a clinical study, you will receive medical care for your condition from experts in that field. This physician care comes at no charge to you at any point in the process. In fact, all study-related evaluations, treatment and follow-up will be provided to you at NO COST and healthcare insurance is NOT REQUIRED. You may even be eligible for compensation for your time and travel in the clinical study.
You Help Others through Clinical Trial Participation
One of the most compelling reasons to participate in clinical research trials is the potential to help other people who also live with your condition. Not only are you becoming active in improving your own health, but you may also be enriching the health of people everywhere. You may benefit society by contributing to a better understanding of your condition, which could lead to new or improved treatments. As a participant, you play a fundamental role in the drug testing and approval process, helping others by furthering medical research.
