Participating in Research

School of Medicine and Dentistry entranceOnce you have been contacted by your study coordinator or the CRC for a scheduled appointment, please feel free to browse this area for directions and maps. If you have any questions about your participation or procedures, please contact your study coordinator or study team.

Research Subject Advocate General Information

The role of the Research Subject Advocate is to promote clinical research and the safety of research subjects involved in research conducted through the Clinical Research Center.

Who Are the Research Subject Advocates?

Robert Betts, M.D., and Nancy Needler, B.S., C.C.R.C., are the Research Subject Advocates (RSAs) for the University of Rochester Clinical Research Center (CRC). Nancy Needler has an office located on the CRC.

The Research Subject Advocate is a position created to assure the safety of human research subjects participating in clinical trials and other health care research. We strongly support participation in research studies, while making sure that research is done as safely as possible.

Whom do I Contact?

If you have a question about the details of the study you are participating in (such as number of visits, procedures, etc.), contact the study coordinator or investigator.

If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject, contact the RSA at the number provided in this brochure.

What Can the Research Subject Advocates do for You?

One of our roles is to act as an advocate for your rights as a research participant. This includes some of the following:

How Can I Contact a Research Subject Advocate?

One of the Research Subject Advocates is usually available Monday through Friday, from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Nancy Needler: (585) 275-1020
Robert Betts: (585) 275-1952

You may ask one of the CRC nurses to help you contact one of us.

How Will My Confidentiality be Maintained?

The RSAs will maintain the confidentiality of all communication provided by a research subject. Subjects are encouraged to be honest about their concerns – we are here to protect YOU, the research subject.

General Information about Participating in a Research Study

Participating in a research study is your choice. Make sure you have been given enough information to make your decision. You should have the answers to the following questions:

Remember: You may withdraw from a research study at any time.

Learn more about Research Subject Advocacy

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Research Participant Information

Areas of Research at the CRC

CRC research is conducted in all age ranges from infants to older adults.  The research areas include studies of neurological conditions; behavioral, cardiology, endocrinology and metabolism, geriatrics, infectious diseases, nephrology, neurology, nursing, nutrition, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, pediatrics, psychiatry, pulmonary medicine and surgery.

Your Participation

Before you can participate in a research study at the CRC, you must be given enough information for you to decide whether or not to participate.  You should receive answers to the following questions from your research study staff: 

If you qualify and decide to participate, you will then sign the Informed Consent Form for your study.  If the individual research participant is less than 18 years of age, the parent or legal guardian must sign for the child.

As a research participant, we also ask that you:

The CRC Research Team

Our research study team consists of a number of professional individuals who will work together to give you the care you need:

Admission to the CRC

Research participants arriving for an inpatient research visit on the CRC should go directly to the CRC unit of Strong Memorial Hospital at 4-3400.

Directions to CRC Unit

From the parking garage, enter the hospital’s 1st floor main lobby. Walk toward the right through the main lobby and turn right at the end of the hallway. Follow the red ceiling tags to the RED elevators. Take the elevators to the 4th floor (Children’s Hospital unit). As you come out of the elevators, turn RIGHT into the hallway, and then an immediate RIGHT at the first hallway (Unit 4-3400). The hallway will end at the CRC nurses station, where you will check-in. You may also ask for directions at the Information Desk in the Main Lobby.

Food and Nutrition Services

During your stay on the CRC you may be consuming a special diet, sometimes referred to as a “weighed diet.”  It is designed to meet your dietary preferences and the restriction of the research project for which you are participating. If you are not required to have a special diet, you can choose your meals from the hospital room service menu. Meal and snack times may vary according to your test schedule, but will generally be provided at regular meal times. If there are any questions or comments concerning your diet, please contact any member of your research study team.

For your family’s convenience, the cafeteria is located on the first floor, and is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Phone

You will have access to a telephone for free local calls.  Please contact a member of your research study team if you need to make long distance phone calls. Family and friends may call you through Patient Telephone Services at 275-7575.

Television

Cable television is provided free of charge in each room on the Clinical Research Center. You may also want to bring a book or magazine to read.

Clothing

Hospital gowns will be provided during your stay, but ask your study coordinator about bringing your own clothes and sleepwear.

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours in the hospital are from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. Visiting hours on the CRC are the same as the hospital, but may be relaxed at the discretion of the Nursing Staff.  Visiting hours tend to be more lenient on the CRC than on other medical floors.

Going Out on Pass During Your Stay

Research subjects are allowed to leave the CRC on a pass only if approved by the Principal Investigator of the research protocol in which you are participating. However, all inpatients must be back on the unit no later than 11:00 p.m.

Accommodations Available for Family Members

If a child is a research subject on the CRC, a parent or guardian may stay in the room throughout the night with the child. A lounge chair will be provided for the parent or guardian. The parent or guardian will not be allowed to sleep in the bed in the child’s room.

Discharge

When you are ready to leave the hospital, here are some things to think about that may help you:

Please feel free to ask your nurse for additional help or if you answered “no” to any of these questions.

You will be informed of your discharge date and time. Your discharge plan will be reviewed with you that day before you leave. The morning of discharge you will receive your prescriptions (if any) and discharge instructions. You will then sign your discharge papers and be discharged according to the research study.

We strive to provide the best customer service on the Clinical Research Center. If you have any concerns or questions at any time, please do not hesitate to ask.

To download this information:

Click here:  Research Participant Information

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Directions

Medical CenterBest Routes to the Medical Center

From the East: NYS Thruway (I-90) to Exit 46; I-390 North to Exit 16 (W. Henrietta Road); cross W. Henrietta to E. River Road; right onto Kendrick Road, Right onto Elmwood Avenue.

From the West: NYS Thruway (I-90) Exit 47; I-490 (east) and I-390 (South) to Exit 16A (E. River Road); right at E. River Road, right at Kendrick Road; Right onto Elmwood Avenue.

From the South: I-390 (North) to Exit 16 (W. Henrietta Road); cross W. Henrietta to East River Road, right onto Kendrick Road, right onto Elmwood Avenue

From the Airport: Turn right upon leaving airport. I-390 (South) to Exit 16A (E. River Road); right at E. River Road; right at Kendrick Road; right onto Elmwood Avenue.

Parking

The Parking Ramp Garage is located by the Main Entrance to the hospital, off Elmwood Ave. Feel free to visit the Parking Office Website for further details and information. This site includes valuable information: parking options, lots and fees ($2.00 - 5.00 depending on time spent at hospital area), violations/ticketing, and special services (e.g., valet parking).

Directions from Parking Ramp Garage Entrance to the Clinical Research Center

Medical Center and External Map

Yahoo Maps of University Area

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Useful Links

Clinical Trials information: 

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