Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Question & Answer
Mental health issues can affect anyone. However, according to the Office on Women’s Health, women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from anxiety, and as many as 1 in 5 women will suffer from mental illness this year. This combined with the fact
What is clinical research?
When pharmaceutical companies develop new medications, they are tested extensively before they are released on the market. After the initial phases of the trial, Woodland conducts studies on the effectiveness of the medication and it is further monitored for safety. Without this important research, newer, better treatments could never be discovered.
Who would be a good fit for a clinical trial?
There are many reasons for participating in a trial. Many of our patients do not find their current treatment effective and some may not even have access to traditional healthcare. Woodland provides an alternative treatment option for these patients at no cost. Participants may receive study medication and may even be compensated for their time and travel.
What kind of treatment will I receive at Woodland?
We have an amazing medical team here at Woodland. Dr. Fayz Hudefi, Dr. James Parks and Dr. Robert Billingsley are board certified psychiatrists who serve as primary investigators on our studies. Dr. Richard Livingston is a board certified child psychiatrist on our pediatric studies. They and the rest of our staff closely monitor patients to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication and to ensure the well-being of all participants. Our staff has more than 45 years of combined clinical trial experience.
What can I expect if I am part of a trial?
Each study is unique, but the structure is typically similar. Once a patient has expressed interest in a study, they speak with one of our clinical raters. A rater is responsible for determining whether the patient is a good candidate for a trial and if they will truly benefit from it. Some trials we conduct are inpatient, and housing is provided in our 24-bed unit. Other studies are outpatient, and visits are completed weekly, or as required by the study. Raters and study coordinators will continually monitor participants throughout the study to ensure their well-being. Those involved in our inpatient studies have staff on site 24/7, in case any emergencies should arise.
For more information, contact Woodland Research by calling (479) 927-3000 or by visiting in person at 609 W. Dyke Road or online at joinaresearchstudy.com.