Participating in Research

What is a research study or clinical trial? A clinical trial (also clinical research) is a research study in which people volunteer to answer specific health questions. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments and improve health. 

Why Participate in Research studies? Participating in Research provides a valuable service to not only physicians and researchers but to you and the general public.  The outcomes are often the basis for decisions regarding standard medical treatment, less invasive treatment, discovery of drug use, discovery of links between conditions and improved quality of life.  Researchers have dedicated their time (often over decades) to find answers to questions that affect how they care for their patients.  The clinical staff conducting the research, which may include nurses, nurse practitioners, recruiters, interviewers and assistants, are generally happy to answer questions and guide participants through each step of the study.  Many people who participate in research studies feel that they are playing a more active role in their health.  Participating in a research study may not benefit you today or tomorrow, but may help doctors to treat women in the future.

Participants in a UITN Study can be assured that all of the information collected for that study will be kept confidential.  Patient names will never appear in any report about a UITN study. 

You can read more about Research Studies and Incontinence by visiting the following website:

www.clinicaltrials.gov: ClinicalTrials.gov provides regularly updated information about federally and privately supported clinical research in human volunteers. It gives you information about a trial's purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details.