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What is the GCRC?

The General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) is part of the New York University School of Medicine. It is a special hospital unit that is funded by the National Institues of Health to support clinical studies for both adults and children.

What is a clinical study?

A clinical study is a scientifically designed plan to diagnose, treat, prevent and develop new approaches and treatments for specific diseases.

Every study must be approved by the School of Medicine's Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB reviews each study to ensure that it is being carried out in a safe and effective manner and that the privacy of all participants is protected.

The GCRC Advisory Committee (GAC) must also approve every study. This committee focuses on the scientific value and safety of the study.

Who can participate?

Healthy volunteers and patients diagnosed with specific diseaes can participate.

All participants are required to sign a written informed consent. A written informed consent is a clear, concise explanation of the study that contains information study subjects should understand before agreeing to participate in the study.

Who pays?

The GCRC will pay for all of your medical expenses that apply to a subject's stay on the research unit.

Who will be taking care of study subjects?

The GCRC nursing staff and the NYU physicians associated with the study will be responsible for the study subjects' care. They are all highly qualified, experienced professionals specially trained to conduct and manage clinical research.

Do study subjects have to stay overnight?

Inpatient studies require subjects to stay in the hospital for one or more days. When a patient arrives, they should report to the Bellevue Hospital Admitting Office located on the ground floor. Hospital staff or volunteers will direct them to the GCRC.

Outpatient studies do not require subjects to stay in the hospital overnight. The GCRC nursing staff will schedule an appointment for the subject to meet the members of the research team who will review the details of the study with the patient and answer any questions they may have.

What happens during a subject's stay?

When a subject comes to the GCRC, they will be introduced to the medical and nursing staff. Each inpatient room has two beds. If the patient likes, they may pay a small fee for television or telephone hook-ups.

A study subject may bring a family member or friend for support. Bellevue Hospital visiting hours apply. Special diets ordered by the subject's doctor or requested by the patient will be provided. The hospital chaplaincy is available to meet patient spiritual needs. Interpreters are also available.

The GCRC staff will try to accommodate any other special needs.

If a patient is staying overnight, they should bring any medication that he is taking so his regular health care program can be continued.

If necessary, the GCRC nursing staff will teach the subject how to continue treatment at home. The patient may also be given pamphlets, videos, or demonstrations that teaches her about her treatment.

What happens when subjects leave?

At the end of the subject's hospital stay, she will be given written instructions for any medications that she should take or any special diet that she should follow. Medications usually can be obtained from the Bellevue Outpatient Hospital Pharmacy.

A follow-up visit will be scheduled if necessary.

If the subject desires or requires additional care outside the hospital, she will be given referrals to visitng nurses, home health care aides, or any other social service agency.

If the subject has a severe reaction or if they are feeling poorly, she should go to the nearest emergency room.