Health Insights

Welcome to One of the Best Health Systems in the Nation

Part of what sets UC Health apart is not just our advanced medical treatment, but also our focus on uncovering better ways to provide care. Every day, our researchers and physicians are studying diseases, exploring better therapies, and creating tools that make earlier detection and treatment possible. This work doesn't happen in isolation. It happens with the help of people like you.

When you come to a UC Health facility, you may be invited to join a clinical trial. Whether you say yes, or no is entirely up to you. It’s a personal decision, and we respect that. What matters most is that you have the information and support you need to make the choice that’s right for you.

What is a Clinical Trial?

At its core, a clinical trial is a carefully designed study that helps researchers find answers about health and medicine. It may test whether a new drug works better than the current standard, whether a new diagnostic tool is more effective at detecting disease, or whether a new approach to care can improve lives. You might hear clinical trials referred to as “medical studies”. They all share the same goal: better outcomes for patients.

Some clinical trials are simple, such as reviewing medical records to look for patterns. Others are more complex and may involve randomly assigning participants to different groups—like flipping a coin—to ensure fairness in the results. In some cases, a placebo (sometimes called a "sugar pill") may be used instead of active medicine. However, a placebo is never used in place of a treatment that is already known to be effective. Participants are always informed ahead of time if a placebo might be part of the study.

Why Do We Ask Patients to Take Part?

Because research needs real-world insight. A treatment might look promising in a lab, but the only way to know if it actually works, and who it works best for, is by involving patients with those conditions. Healthy volunteers are also essential, helping us understand differences and similarities that might otherwise go unnoticed.

If you’re asked to join a study, the clinical trial team will explain the goals, risks, and benefits. Ask questions. Talk to your doctor or a trusted friend. And know that participation is always voluntary. You can say no or change your mind at any point.

Trusted by Patients and Physicians Nationwide

Many of the clinical trials at UC Health are highly specialized and designed for patients facing serious or complex conditions—sometimes when other options have run out. Because of the depth and range of our clinical trials, we’re often contacted by physicians from other hospitals seeking additional possibilities for their patients. Patients and families also reach out directly, looking for answers or new hope. If a study seems like a possible fit, connecting with the study’s lead investigator or research coordinator by phone or email is a meaningful first step. Our teams are experienced, responsive, and here to help you understand whether a study may be right for you or someone you care about.

Your Safety and Rights Always Come First

Before a study ever begins, it’s reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), an independent group of experts that ensures the study is ethical and the risks are worth the potential benefits. Throughout the study, your care team will check in regularly, monitor your health, and make sure you're fully informed at each step.

Participating in research might mean access to new treatments before they’re widely available. It may give you a more active role in your own care or provide extra medical oversight from expert teams. But for many, the biggest reason is simple: they want to help. By joining a study, you’re contributing to discoveries that could help someone else tomorrow—or even someone you love.

At UC Health, we promise that your rights as a research participant are protected, no matter the type of study or patient group you are in. This includes making sure you have the opportunity to discuss the risks and benefits of the research before you agree to participate.

Why Participate in Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials depend on volunteers who agree to be a part of them. By volunteering, you can:

• Play an active role in your healthcare.
• Get access to new research treatments before they are widely available.
• Get expert medical care from study doctors at top medical centers.
• Help others by contributing to medical research.

The decision to take part in a clinical trial is a personal one. You should make sure that you are informed about all the risks as well as the benefits before you decide. You may wish to talk to your family and loved ones, as well as members of your healthcare team such as a doctor or nurse before deciding.

What Clinical Trials Are Available? Just Ask!

Our organization offers a wide variety of trials that explore new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat different health conditions. These studies cover areas like cancer, heart disease, brain and nerve disorders, infections, and more. You can search for open clinical trials on UC Health’s website using simple filters like condition, keyword, or medical specialty. Whether you’re a patient looking for new treatment options or a healthy volunteer, there may be a study that matches your interests or needs.

Every Discovery Starts with Someone Saying Yes.

Thank you—to the patients who say yes, to the families who support them, and to the staff who carry research forward with compassion and care. Your partnership makes it possible to ask bold questions and find better answers.

At UC Health, we believe science should serve people. That’s why we’re proud to offer more than care. We offer hope, progress, and the chance to be part of something bigger.