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*Research* Additional information about research with children and adolescents available from: NIMH - A Participant's Guide To Mental Health Clinical Research	What is Research? Why Does My Doctor Care About Research? Frequently Asked Questions About Research What Studies Are Available? What is Research? Research is what we do to learn and understand more about the common medical problems your child or adolescent may experience. Researchers hope to learn ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat important health problems faced by children and adolescents. The decision to participate in a study or not is entirely voluntary – it is entirely up to you and your child – and you can stop participating whenever you want. Many people decide to participate in research in hopes that the findings will benefit them or other people that they know. Research studies may take place in the community, pediatric office, or hospital, depending on the type of study. back to top Why Does My Doctor Care About Research? Research is an important way your doctor can improve the quality of care they provide your child. Participating in research helps keep your doctor up to date about ways to care for common physical, emotional, and behavioral healthcare problems. It provides our patients and their families with educational and treatment opportunities that would otherwise not be available. We think it’s the right thing to do, and believe it is possible to provide the best clinical care possible AND move the field forward with research at the same time. We are able to pick and choose the types of studies we feel are worthwhile for our patients, and say no to any we don’t feel are worth the trouble. back to top Frequently Asked Questions Q. Do my child or I have to participate in any research studies? A. NO. The option to participate is voluntary. You may withdraw from the study at any time. Q. What are the benefits of participation? A. Benefits of each study may vary, but your child will be participating in a study conducted by experts in the field. You and your child may be compensated for your participation depending on the study. Q. Does it cost me anything to participate in research? A. NO. The research is funded through grant money that pays for the costs of the method being tested. Q. How much of my time will the research take? A. This will depend on the type of study and is usually answered during the first visit when you consent to participate. Q. How will my child’s privacy be protected? A. Information collected is kept confidential and only released with your consent. Q. How will we be informed of the study results? A. You will be notified of the study results as the researcher learns new information from the data collected. The information will be reported in a way to protect the privacy of you and your child. back to top What Studies Are Available? Research Studies for Families back to top
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