At Johns Hopkins All Children’s, research is helping create better care and brighter futures for children. Families can learn about research studies and clinical trials that support new discoveries in pediatric medicine. This page is designed to help you understand what research participation may involve, what questions to ask, and where to find helpful information and support along the way.
Understanding Research Participation
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A clinical trial is a research study that helps doctors learn whether medical treatment, therapy, or approach is safe and effective for children with a specific condition. Some studies focus on treatment, while others help researchers better understand a disease, how it develops, or how it may be diagnosed and monitored.
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Every study is different, and participation may include learning about the study, reviewing consent information, asking questions, and deciding whether the research study is right for your family. Depending on the study, participation may involve clinic visits, questionnaires, monitoring, lab work, or other study-related procedures. At Johns Hopkins All Children’s, the Clinical Research Unit supports a range of research visit activities, including exams, education, assessments, monitoring, bloodwork, medication administration, and other study procedures.
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Yes. Taking part in a research study is entirely voluntary. Choosing not to participate will not change the standard care your child receives, and you may decide at any time that participation is not right for your family.
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Possible benefits may include access to new treatments before they are widely available, closer monitoring by the study team, and the opportunity to help researchers learn more about a disease or treatment that could benefit other children in the future. Not every study will directly benefit your child, but participation may still contribute to advances in pediatric care.
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Every study has risks, and those risks vary depending on the research. A treatment being studied may not work, may not work better than standard care, or may have side effects that are unexpected. Families should also ask about any possible costs and what insurance may or may not cover before deciding whether to participate.
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The health care team and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital will protect you and your family’s private health care information.
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If your family is considering participating in a research study or clinical trial, it is always okay to ask questions. Your child’s care team and research staff can help explain the purpose of the study, what participation may involve, what to expect before you make a decision, and other questions you may have.
Support from Our Clinical Research Unit
Families participating in research at Johns Hopkins All Children’s are supported by a dedicated pediatric Clinical Research Unit purposely designed for research-related visits and study activities. The unit provides a safe, coordinated environment for children and families taking part in clinical research.
- Dedicated pediatric research unit
- Research-trained clinical staff
- Support for study visits and procedures
- Family-centered care and coordination
Clinical Trial Information
Explore active and recently completed clinical trials focused on pediatric research and care through ClinicalTrials.gov.
Johns Hopkins All Children’s is part of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, which supports research that moves new discoveries into patient care. Clinical trial listings may include technical medical language, so families with questions about whether a study may be suitable for their child are encouraged to contact our team for expert guidance.
