Advance medicine.
Starting here.
Participating in a clinical trial at Hamilton Medical Research Group means receiving dedicated care while helping create the medical breakthroughs of tomorrow.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study carefully designed to test whether a new medical treatment, drug, or device is safe and effective for humans. Every medication currently available at your local pharmacy had to be proven through a clinical trial process before it was approved by Health Canada.
Why should I participate?
Patients join trials for many reasons. Some are looking to access new treatments before they are widely available to the public. Others want to contribute to the advancement of science that could help future generations, or they simply want the high level of close, focused medical care provided by the physicians who run our studies.
Will I learn anything about my own health?
Often, yes. Clinical trials usually involve a closer look at your health than a routine check-up — physical exams, blood work, ECGs, and, in some studies, advanced imaging such as MRI. If our physicians or the specialists reviewing your tests notice something unexpected — known as an incidental finding — we make sure it is shared with you so you can follow up with your own doctor. For some participants, a study visit is how a previously unknown health condition is first noticed — something that may never have come to light otherwise.
Is my safety protected?
Absolutely. At HMRG, patient safety is our highest priority. All of our trials strictly adhere to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and are closely monitored by independent Ethics Review Boards and Health Canada. Before you ever join, you will be given an "Informed Consent" document that explains exactly what the trial involves so you can make an educated choice.
Does it cost me anything to participate?
No. Participating in a clinical research trial is completely voluntary and costs you nothing. The study medications, medical care related to the study, and laboratory tests are all provided at no charge. In many of our studies, participants are also compensated for their time and any travel expenses required to visit our clinic on Victoria Avenue North in Hamilton.
Some patients learn something important about their own health.
Because study visits often include more thorough testing than a routine appointment — sometimes including advanced imaging like MRI — participants occasionally uncover a health condition they never knew they had. When something unexpected turns up, our team makes sure it reaches you and your own doctor, so a discovery made in research can lead to care in real life.
Hear about new studies first
Leave your name and email and we’ll send you an occasional note when we’re recruiting for a study in Hamilton. No forms to fill out, no obligation — and you can unsubscribe anytime. You can also follow the latest milestones from studies running at our Hamilton site.