At PB-Solutions, people come first. Part of this commitment involves conducting medical research with the goal of helping patients live happier, healthier lives.  We conduct research programs independently and also in association with pharmaceutical companies.

Through clinical studies, and the volunteers who participate in them, researchers can better understand how to diagnosis, treat and prevent diseases. They are the primary method by which we learn if new treatments are actually helpful. These studies are often part of the FDA approval process for new treatments.

Our staff members have created and conducted clinical trials for over 30 years. They publish regularly in the psychiatric journals. This permits them a deeper understanding of the new medications as they become available.

Dr. Reimherr is the primary investigator for these clinical trials which are usually conducted in cooperation with various pharmaceutical companies. Participation is limited since patients must meet admission criteria. There are generally no costs to the participants.

Click one of the topics below to read more about each one, or scroll down for all information regarding our research studies:

Deciding to Volunteer | Informed Decision | Risks & Benefits | Leaving a Trial | Current Studies | Applications | Volunteer

Deciding to Volunteer

Without willing volunteers, research is not possible. The potential for personal benefit varies between studies, and between individuals. People participate in these trials for many reasons. For example, some hope to find a better medication for their illness while others want to improve care for future generations. Whether or not you participate is a personal choice you should make after carefully considering the risks and benefits.

You have no obligation to participate in any study, and participation is not right for everyone. After enrolling in a study, you may leave at any time for any reason.  We make every attempt to continue treatment for patients after leaving clinical trials.

Making an Informed Decision

Ask questions. If you have questions when deciding to join a research study or at any time during it, ask a member of the study team. If your questions or concerns are not satisfactorily addressed, contact the study’s principal investigator, or the IRB identified in the consent form. You will be given a copy of the consent form to take home, and it may also answer your question.

Informed consent. Before deciding to participate in a study, you will be asked to review an informational document called an “informed consent” form. The doctor or research nurse staff will review the informed consent form with you. This form explains the clinical trial’s purpose, plan, risks and benefits. You must sign the informed consent form in order to participate in the study, though it is not a contract — you may still choose to leave the study at any time. (Teenagers and children will sign an “Assent” form and their parents or legal guardians will sign the “informed consent” form.)

Considerations:

  • The reason for the clinical trial (what the doctors hope to learn)
  • What is known about the type of treatment being studied?
  • Possible risks and benefits (based on what is known so far)
  • Other treatments that may be options
  • Types of tests
  • How often you would need tests and meet with the doctor
  • Who pays for the costs of the clinical trial
  • If the clinical trial causes you to need more medical care, who pays for those costs?
  • As a rule your health insurance should pay for tests and doctors visits that you would need even if you had not volunteered to participate.
  • A statement about conflicts of interest (any direct financial benefit to PB-Solutions)
  • A statement about how your privacy is protected
  • Who to call if you have more questions or if problems arise

Risks and Benefits

Each clinical trial has its own benefits and risks. You may benefit from our medical research in one of the following ways:

  • If the new treatment works, you may be one of the first people to benefit.
  • You may be able to help future patients.
  • The trial sponsor may pay for some of your medical care or tests. (Staff will clarify what costs are covered.)
  • Experts design the treatments used in clinical trials.

Some possible risks include:

  • Side effects may be worse than those of the standard treatment.
  • Side effects may occur that the doctor does not expect.
  • New treatments sometimes fail to work.
  • As with standard treatment, the new treatment may not work for you even if it works for other patients.
  • You may be assigned to placebo during part or all of the study

Can I decide to leave the clinical trial?

All patients in our medical research are volunteers. You can choose to quit a clinical trial at any time, but please talk to the doctor first. He can tell you how quitting the trial might affect your health and if there are other treatment options. More importantly, he will help you in the transition back to non-experimental therapy. Your relationship with your healthcare providers will not be changed by your decision.

Application Materials

Please print and complete the following documents and bring them with you, or fax them to Psychological Behavioral Solutions at 801-467-1210.