PARTICIPATE IN STUDIES

The Advanced Center for Innovation in Services and Intervention Research (ACISIR) is a joint project of the University of California, San Diego, the VA San Diego Healthcare System, and the San Diego County Adult Mental Health Services. The center is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health.  The following information is provided to help give you an overview of our research process:

There are several investigations being conducted at our Research Center. You may be eligible to participate in our studies of individual or group therapy or try a new medication with your physician’s approval. We also are conducting studies to help people deal more effectively with other people and everyday living.
For more detail about our studies, please click on RESEARCH. 

THE FIRST STEP...
If you are interested in participating in our research, one of our staff members will meet with you. During this time, you will have a chance to read over, discuss and sign our consent form. Your signed consent form gives us permission to complete the evaluations. A staff member will then obtain some basic information to find out which studies at the Center you may qualify for. Together, you and a staff member can decide upon the most appropriate study for you to enter; sometimes this may require discussion with your caregiver and physician.

NEXT STEP
After your initial visit, you will meet with a staff member who will provide you with an overview of the study. You may be scheduled to come back to complete some assessments and enter the study. We try to be flexible regarding the length of your appointment, day of the week and time of day in order to make your visits as convenient as possible. The type and number of assessments will vary depending on the particular study. In general, the areas we evaluate at our Center include: 

• Emotions
      Evaluating psychiatric symptoms

• Motor 
      Evaluating movement patterns 

• Psychosocial and Functional outcome
      Evaluating social support, well-being, stressors

• Cognition
      Evaluating memory, attention, concentration

• Physical Exam 
      Testing for common problem areas such as anemia and cholesterol levels

You may then participate in specific treatment studies.  The details of these studies will be discussed with you.

FINALLY...
We want to do everything possible to make your visits with us as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Please let us know if you need a break at any time during the evaluation procedure. If you decide not to participate in a research study, that decision will have no impact on your regular treatment.  You may, of course, discontinue your participation at any time.

Our research center is funded largely on grant monies. There is monetary compensation for all completed evaluations. 

WHAT IF I NEED TRANSPORTATION?
We can work with you and try to help you arrange transportation. In some cases we can do the assessments in the comfort of your own home.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
Danielle Kukene Glorioso, MSW
(858) 642-3902