For Medical Professionals

Transforming Care through Research

University of Minnesota Health is an academic health system. We focus on improving health outcomes through our research, our clinical services, education, and training. We work closely with our partner researchers at University of Minnesota to develop new health technologies and treatments. Your patients can get involved in this exciting research by taking part in a clinical trial.

University of Minnesota is a first-rate research institution with a well-respected medical school established in 1888. We created the world’s first stem cell institute. In addition, we originated several medical discoveries, including the first external pacemaker and the first successful bone marrow transplant.

The Center for Measuring University Performance’s 2015 report ranks University of Minnesota --Twin Cities 9th among U.S. public research institutions. Learn more about University of Minnesota’s long history in advancing health science discoveries.

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Locate M Health Clinical Trials

StudyFinder, provided through the University of Minnesota's Translational Science Institute (CTSI), is an easy-to-use, mobile-friendly website. It allows quick access to a listing of University of Minnesota research studies currently seeking volunteers. StudyFinder kiosks are available in the Clinics and Surgery Center and throughout the University of Minnesota Medical Center campus. The kiosks also display research participant stories and information.

Find clinical trials through the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota website and through the National Institutes of Health.

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Learning about Clinical trials 

Many common therapies and devices, such as brand name painkillers or even contact lenses would not exist without clinical trials. University of Minnesota Health clinical trials test whether a medical strategy, treatment, or device is safe and effective. These studies may help decide which medical approaches work best for certain illnesses or patient populations. Those who choose to participate are closely monitored to assess how the drug or therapy is working.

We use various standards to qualify patients for a clinical trial. These criteria may include age, gender, certain medical conditions and treatment history or daily behaviors. They relate to the specific research questions being addressed. Criteria allow researchers to maintain the highest safety standards for participants.

Those who may want to take part in a research study should talk to their doctors. They should learn as much as possible about the study. We encourage potential participants to ask specific questions. Ask about the study's purpose: how long it will last, how it may affect their daily life, what types of tests and treatments are involved, and whether study results will be given to participants. Study participants can leave studies at any point.

Participation in a clinical trial does not take the place of regular medical care. Learn more about clinical trials from the following resources:

• National Institutes of Health website Clinical Research Trials and You
• National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Information for Patients and Caregivers
• The Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups website

University Research Partners

University of Minnesota has great depth and breadth of research and clinical resources that it taps into to provide expert care, knowledge and support. 

Its partners include:

• University of Minnesota Academic Health Center. This is the gateway to health research, education, and training at University of Minnesota. The center serves six colleges and schools, more than 90 centers and institutes, and University of Minnesota Health hospitals and clinics. 
• University of Minnesota’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), holds the university’s largest ever National Institutes of Health grant. The CTSI provides services, funding, consultations and resources to university and community researchers to help them be more successful and advance their research discoveries. Through the Clinical and Translational Science Award, a five-year $51 million prize awarded in 2011, University of Minnesota became part of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a consortium of 62 health research sites across the United States. 
• Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, a comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute, one of only 45 such institutions in the United States. The Masonic Cancer Center creates a collaborative research environment focused on the causes, prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer; applying that knowledge to improve quality of life for patients and survivors and sharing its discoveries with other scientists, students, professionals, and the community. 

Resources

• Improved healthcare through research (video)
• Research at the Clinics and Surgery Center (video)
• The value of academic medicine (video)
• CTSI keeps UMN researchers abreast of research operations in the new Clinics and Surgery Center, published December 30, 2015
• CTSI leads patient research experience at the new Clinics and Surgery Center, published November 2, 2015