In medical research, clinical trials are used for testing out new drugs and treatments to determine if they are more effective than the options that are currently available. People who participate in the clinical trials agree to let doctors try these new treatments and medicines on them and study the results. The individual participants receive benefits, but there is also great benefit to other people with the same condition, as well as the field of medicine itself.
At the well-regarded Shankle Clinic in Newport Beach, California, highly experienced board-certified neurologist Dr. William R. Shankle, MS, MD, FACS provides his patients with top-notch comprehensive care. Dr. Shankle, drawing from many years of experience as a leader in his field, uses genetic testing and holistic treatments to generate impressive results for his patients with neurogenetic, neurodegenerative, and neuromuscular disorders.
Patients of Dr. Shankle who have conditions that are not responding to conventional treatments have the option of being invited to participate in a clinical trial. This gives them access to experimental drugs and treatments that are currently being tested for effectiveness.
If you have a disease or disorder that affects your brain and nervous system, and you are not responding to conventional treatments, you may be a candidate for a clinical trial. At Shankle Clinic, we have clinical trials for all of the conditions that we treat in our clinic. You can speak to Dr. Shankle to find out if there is one that would be right for you.
Participation in a clinical trial may require some extra appointments, so it’s important to prepare for that before your sign up. You should be aware that sometimes you may not receive the active medication in the trial, instead you may receive a placebo. You also could experience side effects from the medicine or treatment, which is one of the many things that is being studied in the trial.
The complete details of the clinical trial are fully explained to you before you commit to participating. There are benefits to you, to other people who have the same condition, and also benefits to the field of medicine.
When you participate in a clinical trial, you agree to be a test subject for an experimental drug or treatment to help determine if it is effective. This means you have access to care that is not available to the general public. Because it is an experiment, there is no guarantee, but it is possible that your participation could improve your condition.
One of the main benefits of being a participant in the clinical trial is that you are provided with the drugs and treatments at no cost to you. You also may learn more about your condition through your participation, with additional tests and information provided that you would not normally receive. You may have access to support groups as a benefit as well.
In addition to the benefits to you for participating, you are also benefiting other people like you with the information that is generated from the clinical trial. They may have access to a new treatment option because of your willingness to assist in the trial. By generating medical knowledge, you are also helping advance the field of medicine itself.
If you want to learn more about clinical trials, call our office or use our online booking system to set up an appointment.
