Are you looking to join a diabetes clinical trial? By volunteering, you help advance new diabetes treatments and offer patients access to cutting-edge research and potentially life-changing therapies.
For over 20 years, the Clinical Research Center at Texas Diabetes Institute has been instrumental in developing many leading diabetes treatments. We provide opportunities to participate in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes clinical trials in San Antonio and your involvement could be the next step in our research journey.
There may be some common misconceptions that are preventing you from considering participation in one of our clinical trials. So, here’s what you need to know about diabetes clinical trials.
Will I be a guinea pig?
Answer: It's a common misconception that participating in a clinical trial means being a "guinea pig."
Clinical trials are conducted with the highest scientific rigor, following strict criteria for selecting participants, tests that will be used and the safety of data collection.
Before starting, clinical trials undergo a rigorous review by the Internal Review Board (IRB) from the academic institution, clinic or hospital where the research study will be conducted. The IRB follows standard practices, as described in the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Principles and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for clinical research trials in the U.S.
Will participating in a diabetes clinical trial cure my disease?
Answer: Engaging in a clinical trial might not lead to a direct cure for diabetes or offer immediate benefits, but it can be a significant way to:
- Contribute to innovations in diabetes and medical research
- Provide beneficial insights into new treatments
- Improve diabetes management
- Reduce your risk of complications
- Help others facing similar challenges in the future
Do I need permission or a referral from my doctor to participate in a clinical trial?
Answer: We value open communication with your primary care team, but you are not required to have a referral from them to join a clinical trial.
Before enrollment, you will undergo a screening process to ensure you meet the study's entry criteria and to minimize any associated risks. Participating in a trial can provide you with early access to specialized therapies and testing that may not yet be available through your health care provider.
If my doctor refers me to a clinical trial and I decline, will it affect my relationship with my doctor or the care I receive?
Answer: If your doctor believes you are a good candidate for participation in a trial, it does not necessarily mean you are the best fit for the study. You have the right to decline involvement in any study since participation is strictly voluntary.
Suppose you enroll in a clinical study and stop participating, there will be no penalties and you will still be eligible to be considered for future studies.
How do I know what’s happening to me during a clinical trial?
Answer: Study participants are always informed about the general course of the study and any new information that may be clinically relevant to their general care.
Who can see my results or know I’m participating in a clinical trial?
Answer: The data collected from you is anonymized before being used for statistical analysis and published in scientific journals. It is only used for research purposes or protected under proprietary information confidentiality agreements during drug development.
In most cases, tracing the data back to you as an individual is very difficult. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects participant data from clinical trials. Only authorized entities and selected individuals will have access to data that can identify you. This access is strictly for data analysis or to ensure that the procedures are carried out safely and correctly. These entities and individuals are listed in the consent form you review before agreeing to participate.
Do I have to pay to be in a clinical trial?
Answer: You will not be charged to participate in a clinical trial.
Most of the clinical trials compensate for the time you spent as a volunteer coming to the visits and participating in the research tests. However, tests conducted during the study that become strictly necessary to provide standard medical care and are not part of the research protocol may incur costs.
Diabetes Clinical Trials at Texas Diabetes Institute
Our diabetes research team has four different categories of clinical research studies available in San Antonio:
- Type 1 diabetes
- At-risk/prediabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Without diabetes
If you are interested in participating in one of our clinical trials, please call the Texas Diabetes Institute Research Center at 210-358-7200 or access a list of our active research studies.
