Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions about clinical trials and our research answered

About Clinical Trials

Understanding the research process

  • A clinical trial is a research study conducted with human volunteers to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new medical approaches. At Westheimer Medical Group, our trials focus on developing and testing preventive healthcare strategies, particularly for underserved populations.

    Clinical trials are essential for advancing medical knowledge and improving healthcare. They follow strict scientific standards and ethical guidelines to protect participants and produce reliable results that can benefit public health.

  • Participating in a clinical trial offers several benefits:

    • Access to comprehensive health assessments and preventive care at no cost

    • Opportunity to learn more about your health and strategies for prevention

    • Contributing to medical research that will help others in your community

    • Playing an active role in your healthcare

    • Potential early access to innovative approaches to preventive care

    Many participants also find personal satisfaction in knowing their involvement helps advance healthcare for underserved communities.

  • Participant safety is our highest priority. All clinical trials at Westheimer Medical Group:

    • Are reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) that ensures participant protection

    • Follow strict protocols designed to minimize risks

    • Include a thorough informed consent process where all potential risks and benefits are explained

    • Are monitored continuously throughout the study

    Our focus on preventive healthcare means that most of our studies involve minimal risk interventions such as health education, lifestyle modifications, and non-invasive screening techniques. You can withdraw from a study at any time for any reason.

  • Each clinical trial has specific eligibility criteria based on factors such as age, health status, medical history, and location. These criteria help ensure that the research questions can be answered accurately and that participants are not exposed to unnecessary risks.

    At Westheimer Medical Group, we strive to make our trials accessible to diverse participants, with a particular focus on including people from communities that have historically been underrepresented in medical research. Our team works to remove barriers to participation wherever possible.

    To find out if you're eligible for a specific trial, please contact our research team or check the detailed eligibility criteria on our Clinical Studies page.

  • The time commitment varies depending on the specific study. Most of our preventive healthcare trials involve:

    • An initial screening visit to determine eligibility (1-2 hours)

    • Regular study visits over a period of months or years (typically 1-3 hours each)

    • Follow-up assessments to evaluate long-term outcomes

    We understand that our participants have busy lives, so we try to be flexible with scheduling and minimize unnecessary visits. The specific time commitment will be clearly explained during the informed consent process before you decide to participate.

About Our Research

Understanding Westheimer Medical Group's approach

  • Westheimer Medical Group specializes in community-centered preventive healthcare research with several distinctive features:

    • Focus on addressing healthcare disparities in underserved communities

    • Collaborative approach that involves community members in research design

    • Emphasis on developing practical, implementable solutions for real-world settings

    • Commitment to translating research findings into improved healthcare practices

    Our approach ensures that our research directly benefits the communities we serve while contributing valuable knowledge to the broader medical field.

  • We take participant privacy very seriously. Our protection measures include:

    • Compliance with all HIPAA regulations and privacy laws

    • Secure storage of all participant data in encrypted systems

    • Use of identification codes instead of names on research documents

    • Strict protocols for who can access participant information

    • Clear policies on how your data may be used and shared for research purposes

    These measures are explained in detail in the informed consent documents you'll review before joining a study. Our research team is always available to address any privacy concerns you might have.

  • Many of our studies provide compensation to acknowledge participants' time and contributions. This may include:

    • Reimbursement for travel expenses

    • Modest stipends for study visits

    • Gift cards or other tokens of appreciation

    The specific compensation varies by study and is clearly outlined during the informed consent process. All participants also receive comprehensive health assessments and preventive care services at no cost as part of their participation.

    We strive to remove financial barriers to participation while ensuring that compensation is not so substantial that it becomes the primary motivation for joining a study.

  • When a study concludes, several things happen:

    • You'll receive a summary of your individual health data collected during the study

    • Our team will provide recommendations for continued preventive care

    • We'll help connect you with appropriate healthcare resources if needed

    • You'll be invited to join our research registry for future studies if interested

    • Once the full study is analyzed, we'll share overall findings with all participants

    We're committed to ensuring a smooth transition at the end of a study and to making sure participants benefit from their involvement even after the research concludes.

  • Deciding whether to participate in a clinical trial is a personal choice. We recommend:

    • Reviewing the study information carefully, including potential risks and benefits

    • Discussing the opportunity with your healthcare provider

    • Preparing questions to ask our research team during the screening visit

    • Considering how the study aligns with your health goals and values

    • Evaluating whether you can realistically commit to the study requirements

    Our research staff is available to discuss any questions or concerns you may have, without any pressure to participate. We want everyone who joins our studies to feel fully informed and comfortable with their decision.

Still Have Questions?

Our research team is here to help. Contact us directly to discuss your specific questions about our clinical trials or research approach.