New therapies are not put into practice until proven safe and effective in humans. This makes clinical trials a vital step in transforming scientific concept into medical reality.

Trials that Clinical Research manages start are proposed by a PAMF doctor or an outside organization. Each proposal is reviewed by department administrators. If the study seems like it would benefit PAMF patients now or in the future, it is accepted.

From there, the study must receive approval from PAMF's Institutional Review Board (IRB). The study is then assigned an experienced research nurse from Clinical Research.

Trials may run weeks, months or years, depending on what is being studied. Patients who join clinical trials receive access to investigational treatments and dedicated attention from physicians and research nurses. Many of these participants are also motivated to help future patients, volunteering for studies that may not influence treatment for years.

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