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The purpose of FHRC is to determine the safety and effectiveness of new medications for the treatment of major depression. Individuals who volunteer to participate in these studies contribute to advancing the quality of psychiatric medical therapies; and while they contribute to medical science, they may also benefit by taking medications, some of which are known to be effective, and some of which are still in the evaluation process.
Following the termination of a volunteer’s role in a particular study, we make every effort to insure that s/he receives effective treatment subsequent to that study. Dr. Feiger provides four months of free follow-up care and one month of free medication. Then, when needed, referrals are made to other professionals in the community for continuing care. While participating in studies at FHRC, volunteers receive all services free of charge. In fact, volunteers receive a small stipend for every visit to FHRC to cover their travel expenses. This is paid in a lump sum at the termination of the volunteer’s participation in the study. FHRC has purposely stayed a relatively small research facility. This insures that volunteers feel as though they are coming into their family doctor’s office and not some huge clinic where they are "just a number." There are six staff members in addition to Dr. Feiger including Clinical Research Coordinators, Registered Nurses, an Intake Clinician, a Receptionist and a part-time Staff Psychiatrist. While research is the primary purpose for FHRC’s existence, the care we provide to the volunteers is equally important. We endeavor to provide care in a setting where each individual feels reason for hope. Of course, there are no guarantees; just as in the practice of medicine there can never be guarantees. But everyone coming to FHRC can expect to meet caring professionals and can expect that it is possible that they will receive benefit either from the trial medication or later from the prescription of an already approved medication. A by-product of these visits is the educational experience. If you become a volunteer you will learn much about how drugs are tested and how depression responds to medication. The two decades of experience at FHRC translates into expertise in knowing what to do to conduct an accurate and scientific study while still treating each volunteer as a unique individual. Dr. Feiger has worked with most of the new antidepressants approved in the last twenty years. Our primary facility is located just west of Denver on the campus of the Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. You can contact us by phone: 303-425-HOPE (4673) or email mail@feigerresearch.com. This facility includes comfortable office space conducive to patient privacy and confidentiality, as well as a fully equipped examination room with EKG and a laboratory for the collection and processing of blood and urine samples. FHRC has played an important research role in many antidepressants that are now commonly in use. Some of these medications include: Prozac Paxil Zoloft EffexorAnd several other medications currently used - not only in psychiatry - but general medicine as well. |