Bringing clinical trials to Joplin
At Freeman Health System, we believe patients should have access to research opportunities without having to travel far from home. By participating in clinical research, Freeman helps bring innovative treatments, therapies, devices, and approaches to care for patients in Joplin and the surrounding region.
Clinical trials are an important part of advancing medicine. They help researchers answer important questions about the safety and effectiveness of potential new treatments and may also evaluate new uses of existing treatments, medical devices, procedures or approaches to care.
For many patients, participating in research at Freeman means having access to clinical trial opportunities within their own community, close to their family, support system and trusted healthcare team.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a carefully designed research study involving human participants. Clinical trials evaluate medical treatments, medications, devices, procedures or other approaches to preventing, diagnosing or treating disease.
Participation in a clinical trial is always voluntary. Before deciding whether to participate, potential participants receive information about the study through the informed consent process, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, and available alternatives.
Clinical trials conducted at Freeman are subject to appropriate research oversight and may be:
- Reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to help protect the rights, safety and welfare of research participants.
- Sponsored or supported by organizations such as medical institutions, pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies, medical device companies, cooperative research groups or government agencies, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
- Conducted in accordance with applicable federal regulations and research requirements.
Why Participate in Clinical Research?
People consider clinical trials for many different reasons. Depending on the study, participation may provide an opportunity to:
- Access an investigational treatment or approach that is not yet widely available.
- Contribute to medical knowledge that may improve care for future patients.
- Help researchers better understand diseases, treatments and long-term health outcomes.
Areas of research
Freeman Health System has participated in clinical research across multiple medical specialties. Areas of research have included:
- Cardiology and vascular care
- Oncology
- Pulmonology
- Orthopedics
- Endocrinology
- Pharmaceutical studies
- Medical device and procedural studies
Freeman also supports investigator-initiated and academic research conducted in accordance with applicable institutional and regulatory requirements.
Heart & Vascular Clinical Research
Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute has participated in clinical research for more than 20 years. Research studies have included medications, medical devices, procedures and other approaches designed to advance cardiovascular care and improve understanding of long-term outcomes.
If you are interested in learning whether a heart or vascular research study may be available to you, speak with your cardiologist or reach out to the clinical research nurse.
Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute Clinical Trials and Research Office
Sheryl Faucett, RN
417.347.3493
Cancer Clinical Trials
Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute has participated in numerous clinical trials for more than 20 years, helping bring cancer research opportunities to patients in our region.
Clinical trials may be available for a variety of cancer types, including:
- Breast cancer
- Prostate
- Colorectal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Other cancer diagnoses
Through participation in national cooperative research and other clinical trial programs, eligible patients may have access to research opportunities while receiving care close to home. Freeman has been a member of the Cancer Research for the Ozarks NCORP since 1997.
Because clinical trial availability and eligibility requirements change over time, patients are encouraged to speak with their oncologist about whether a study may be appropriate for them.
Freeman Cancer Institute Clinical Research
Kasha Neff, BSN, RN, CCRP
417.347.4030
Institutional Review Board and Research at Freeman
The Freeman Institutional Review Board (IRB) provides oversight for human subjects research conducted at Freeman Health System. The IRB helps protect the rights, safety and welfare of research participants and ensures research is reviewed in accordance with applicable ethical and regulatory requirements.
Individuals interested in conducting research at Freeman, including physicians, employees and students, may be required to obtain institutional and IRB review before beginning research activities. This may include academic research, investigator-initiated studies and certain case reports or other projects involving Freeman patients, employees, data or resources.
Researchers and students should contact the IRB office before beginning a project to determine applicable requirements.
Freeman Institutional Review Board
Betsy Johnston, IRB Coordinator
417.347.3789