At Vital Psych MD, our goal is to increase availability to state-of-the-art mental health treatment modalities. In addition to conventional mental health treatment, there may be opportunities for qualified participants to take part in clinical trials studies that test experimental therapies for mental disorders.
Clinical trials can be a part of the process of bringing new psychiatric drugs to market and into practice for treating mental conditions, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc. Further below, you will find information on what exactly clinical trials are, how Vital Psych MD can help you get information on them, and what to expect in this case. Vital Psych MD can help you get information on them, and what to expect in this case.
Enhanced Access to Clinical Trials. Supported by SiteRx
In order to assist in providing you with relevant research opportunities, Vital Psych MD is partnered with SiteRx, which is a company that bridges psychiatric practices and existing clinical trials across the nation.
SiteRx is not a replacement for the relationship between yourself and your Vital Psych MD physician but rather an additional tool for your physician to utilize in determining possible research options.
SiteRx will have one of its team members contact you to discuss all the study information, answer any questions you may have, and help you determine whether or not you wish to continue with it.
What Is a Clinical Trial?
"Clinical trial" refers to a research investigation aimed at testing the efficacy and safety of a newly discovered drug, medical device, or therapy. In psychiatry, clinical trials test new methods for treating such psychiatric disorders as depression, anxiety, ADD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and OCD. The majority of clinical trial studies involve comparison of the investigational drug against a standard drug or placebo while being closely monitored, enabling investigators to know whether the new therapy works or not and how safe it is. All drugs in use currently in psychiatry went through the process of clinical trials before making their way into practice. Clinical trials are done all over the United States and are usually funded by pharmaceutical firms, academic medical centers, or government laboratories.
How Vital Psych MD Supports Access to Clinical Research
This organization plays an important role in determining those patients who would qualify for further participation in psychiatric clinical trials. However, this has nothing to do with the psychiatric treatment that you are already getting from your provider. If your provider feels that your case could potentially benefit from participation in a clinical trial, an option for research could be presented to you for consideration. It is always up to you to get more information about the clinical trials study and to choose to participate or not. Your decision not to participate in any clinical trial would have no bearing on the psychiatric treatment you will receive at Vital Psych MD.
Potential Benefits of Participating in a Clinical Trial
Each study is unique, and no guarantees can be made regarding results, access to trials, or eligibility for any particular study. Nevertheless, there are potential advantages of clinical trials for participants that include:
Access to investigational treatments not yet widely available
Closer monitoring and additional clinical attention during the study period
Contributing to research that may help advance psychiatric care for others
In many studies, study-related visits, assessments, or medications provided at no cost
This is what the advantages could be from participating, not any promise of an individual result or research project.
Conditions With Active Psychiatric Research Opportunities
Research is continually being done on many different kinds of mental disorders, such as:
Depression clinical trials. Studies evaluating new antidepressants, adjunct therapies, and treatment-resistant depression protocols.
Anxiety clinical trials. Research into generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and related conditions.
ADHD clinical trials. Studies on new medication formulations and non-stimulant treatment approaches.
Bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and other conditions treated at Vital Psych MD.
Availability of studies is highly dynamic depending on current enrollment and, therefore, we cannot give you any assurances regarding your eligibility for any studies ahead of time.
Participation Is Completely Voluntary
Deciding whether to take part in a clinical trial is a personal choice. You may:
Nobody from Vital Psych MD will ever push you into participating in research, as your choice won’t impact your relation with your physician in any way.
Eligibility Varies by Study
It is important to keep in mind that not all patients are candidates for all clinical trials. The inclusion/exclusion criteria, like the type of disease, its symptoms' intensity, the medication you are on, your age, and other factors, are established separately for each clinical study, rather than by Vital Psych MD. Being eligible for one study does not automatically make you eligible for another one.
Clinical Trials vs. Routine Psychiatric Care
It is critical to note that clinical trials are an optional source of information apart from your current psychiatric treatment at Vital Psych MD.
| Aspect | Routine Psychiatric Care | Clinical Trials |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management | Research into new or investigational treatments |
| Provided by | Your Vital Psych MD provider | The study's research team (may be a separate organization) |
| Availability | Ongoing, based on your treatment plan | Depends on current study enrollment and eligibility |
| Your participation | Standard part of care | Entirely voluntary and optional |
Your health care professionals continue to oversee your treatment regardless of whether you opt for a clinical trial or not.
Talk to Your Provider About Clinical Research Opportunities
If you wish to learn whether a certain clinical trial would be of relevance to your condition, you should bring it up to your Vital Psych MD physician during your next visit, or contact us with any inquiries you might have.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are clinical trials safe?
Clinical trials are done under tight control, which includes review by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). However, like any kind of medical research, there are certain risks involved, and these will be disclosed to you as part of the process of giving your informed consent prior to your joining the clinical trial.
Will participating in a clinical trial cost me anything?
Costs depend on the particular research study. Many clinical research studies pay for all medication, testing, and evaluations related to the study at no cost to the participant, but it is best to check details.
Are there mental health clinical trials near me?
Vital Psych MD offers telepsychiatry services in 26 states and offers a wide variety of psychiatric clinical studies, such as those for depression, anxiety, and ADHD, in either remote or hybrid format, or at various research facilities in the United States, depending on the study.
Does my provider need to refer me, or can I look into trials on my own?
Both are possible. It could be that your Vital Psych MD provider locates a clinical study they believe is pertinent to your care, or you can always inquire of your provider about clinical trials.
Will not participating affect my care at Vital Psych MD?
No. The use of clinical trials is entirely up to you and does not affect the mental health treatment that you receive from Vital Psych MD.
