Research - Frequently Asked Questions

  • Contributing to the future understanding of diabetes and related treatments.
  • Each study is unique and each study may offer benefits such as payment, medication, labs or specialized medical care at no cost to the research volunteer. The benefits and risks of study participation is shared with potential research volunteers prior to signing a consent form and making a commitment to a study.

You do not need to be a patient at OHSU in order to participate in most studies. Research volunteers see doctors throughout Oregon and Washington. Occasionally, a study may require a research volunteer to have a primary care physician/doctor at OHSU.

The short answer is, it depends on the study. For example, a study may seek to understand the risk of developing diabetes. If you are a family member of someone with diabetes, you could be in a study to determine your risk of developing diabetes (type 1 or type 2).

Personal medical information is never shared with insurance companies.

Our research team can view your medical information. OHSU research staff is trained on federal regulations regarding protected health information (PHI). During the informed consent process, research staff will answer any questions you may have regarding the research information collected and how PHI is stored.

The time commitment varies with each study. A study could involve a single visit or could involve multiple visits for several years.  Research staff will discuss the time commitment involved with you during the initial consent process.

A research volunteer may stop participating at any time during a study. If you withdraw from a study, we ask all research volunteers to attend a final visit. Please bring any medication or supplies from the study. If the study visit is paid for, we will pay you for the time and visits you have completed.

Go to the Research page to learn what studies are currently recruiting volunteers. If you are interested in participating go to our online research form or call 503-494-4704.

Once you arrive at our clinic:

  • Check in at the front desk.
  • Let staff know that you are scheduled for diabetes research and provide the name of the study coordinator.

Diabetes Research Contact