Who conducts a clinical trial?
Clinical trials are typically sponsored by government agencies (such as the National Institutes of Health), and by biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies that develop new drugs and treatments. Clinical trials take place at a variety of investigative sites such as hospitals, medical centers, and doctors’ offices. As a participant, your contact is the healthcare provider (investigator) at the investigative site.
Every clinical trial has a person in charge, usually a doctor, who is called the protocol chair or principal investigator (PI). Clinical trial volunteers work with a research team led by the protocol chair or principal investigator. Team members may include doctors, nurses, social workers, dietitians and other health professionals. The team provides care, monitors participants’ health and gives specific instructions about the study. It is important for participants to follow the research team’s instructions so that the trial results are as reliable as possible.
