People face risks every day of their lives and there are always some risks in anything we do. Each risk has a different level of consequence and a different likelihood of happening. Research participation is no different; there may be risks that are unknown. However, many potential risks in a particular research study can be predicted and these will be explained to you by the research doctor.

Everybody evaluates risk in a different way. You will make your own personal decision about any risk you are willing to take in clinical research you may be eligible for. No one will second guess your decision about your willingness to participate in research. 

Because evaluating risks is complicated, a committee, known as the institutional review board, will study the risks in relationship to the benefits of all clinical studies. This committee is charged with watching out for the safety of research participants and will deliberate about the benefits and risks of research and will only approve studies it deems have reasonable benefits in relationship to the expected risks.

To obtain current information on the composition, policies and procedures of the Mercy Institutional Review Board, contact Marsha White, Internal Review Board (IRB) administrator, by e-mail at mwhite3@mercydesmoines.org or by phone at (515) 247-3985.