Participate in Dermatology Clinical Research in South Florida
Study Participants help move dermatology research forward. At Frieder Dermatology, our clinical research program gives eligible patients the chance to take part in studies focused on skin health, inflammatory skin disease, and cutaneous oncology.
Clinical trials are part of medical research. The NIH explains that clinical trials study new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease, and their goal is to learn if those approaches are safe and effective.
Frieder Research Institute is a dedicated dermatology clinical research center within our South Florida dermatology practice network. Our site supports industry-sponsored studies across inflammatory dermatology and cutaneous oncology, with access to in-house dermatology services and a large patient base.
If you have a chronic skin condition, a history of skin cancer, or symptoms that have not responded well to standard treatment, a clinical study may be worth asking about.
What Is a Study Participant?
A study participant is a person who volunteers to be considered for a clinical research study. Some participants have a specific skin condition. Others may be healthy volunteers, depending on the study.
Before you join a study, our research team reviews your medical history, symptoms, medications, and study requirements. Every study has inclusion and exclusion criteria. The NIH explains that these criteria help identify appropriate participants and help keep them safe.
Participation is always voluntary. You can ask questions before signing any study forms, and you can leave a study at any time.
Why Dermatology Research Matters
Skin disease affects millions of people every year. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that 84.5 million Americans, or about 1 in 4 people, were impacted by skin disease, and skin disease costs the U.S. health care system $75 billion in medical, preventive, prescription, and non-prescription costs.
Clinical research helps doctors and researchers study new treatment options for conditions such as:
Clinical Trials Study Participant Request
- Actinic keratosis
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Other inflammatory or cancer-related skin conditions
Possible Benefits of Joining a Dermatology Study
Every study is different, so the benefits and risks depend on the specific research protocol. For some Study Participants, joining a clinical trial may offer:
- Access to investigational dermatology treatments
- Study-related visits with a clinical research team
- Close monitoring during the study period
- Possible compensation for time or travel, depending on the study
- A chance to help improve future skin care options
Our clinical trials may give participants access to new research treatments before they are widely available and regular medical attention from a research team.
A study is not the same as a guaranteed treatment result. Our team will explain the study purpose, visit schedule, possible risks, possible benefits, and your responsibilities before you decide.
What to Expect Before You Join
The process usually starts with a conversation. Our team may ask about your skin condition, medical history, current medications, and past treatments. From there, we can let you know if a current or future study may match your needs.
Most studies include these steps:
- Initial contact
You submit your information or speak with our research team. - Pre-screening
We review basic study criteria to see if you may be a fit. - Screening visit
You may come in for a study-related exam, medical history review, lab work, photos, or other required steps. - Informed consent
We review the study details with you before you decide to join. - Study visits
If you qualify and choose to participate, you follow the visit schedule and study instructions. - Follow-up
Some studies include follow-up visits or check-ins after the treatment period.
The NIH explains that a clinical trial protocol describes the study goal, who can join, safety protections, required tests, expected length, and the information collected.
Your Safety and Privacy
Your safety comes first. Many clinical trials in the United States are reviewed and monitored by an Institutional Review Board, often called an IRB. The NIH describes an IRB as a committee that reviews research to protect the rights and safety of participants before and during the study.
Informed consent is also part of the process. The FDA’s informed consent guidance helps IRBs, clinical investigators, and sponsors follow informed consent rules for clinical investigations.
Before you decide to participate, we will explain:
- The purpose of the study
- How long the study may last
- Required visits, tests, or procedures
- Possible risks and side effects
- Possible benefits
- Costs or compensation, if applicable
- Who to contact with questions
- Your right to stop participating
Informed consent continues throughout the study, and participation is voluntary.
Why Choose Frieder Research Institute?
Frieder Research Institute is part of Frieder Dermatology, a South Florida dermatology practice with locations in Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, and Pompano Beach. Our dermatologists provide cosmetic and medical dermatology care, including skin cancer screenings, acne care, eczema care, psoriasis management, Botox, fillers, and other skin health treatments.
Our research program is led by Jillian H. Frieder, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and principal investigator.
Dr. Frieder graduated with Honors from the University of Arizona and earned her medical degree from Wayne State University, where she graduated with Distinction and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. She completed a Dermatology Clinical Research Fellowship under Dr. Alan Menter in Dallas, with a focus on psoriasis and immune-mediated skin disease.
Frieder Research Institute reports experience with 17 industry-sponsored trials, 13 peer-reviewed publications, a peer-reviewed book chapter on emerging cancer treatments, and academic research on novel drug delivery systems.
Our clinical research site also reports:
- 7,500+ dermatology patients seen annually
- 10,000+ patients in the dermatology database
- 5,000+ annual skin cancer visits
- 200+ Mohs procedures annually, in-house
These resources help our team identify potential study candidates and support patients throughout the clinical research process.
Interested in Becoming a Study Participant?
If you are interested in a current or future dermatology study, contact our research team. You do not need to know if you qualify before reaching out. We can review your information and let you know what options may be available.
You may be asked to share:
- Your name
- Contact information
- Age
- Skin condition or area of interest
- Current symptoms
- Current or past treatments
- Insurance information, if needed
- How you heard about the study
Submitting a form does not mean you are enrolled. It only gives our team a chance to review your information and contact you about possible next steps.
Study Participant FAQs
Do I have to be a current Frieder Dermatology patient to join a study?
No. You can ask about clinical research even if you are not currently a patient. Our team will let you know if you may qualify for a current or future study.
Will I be paid to participate?
Some studies may offer compensation for time or travel. Compensation depends on the study and will be explained before you decide to participate.
Are clinical trials safe?
Clinical trials may involve risks, and those risks depend on the study. Before you join, our team will explain the study, possible side effects, safety monitoring, and your rights as a participant.
Can I leave a clinical trial after joining?
Yes. Participation is voluntary. The NIH states that you can leave a clinical trial at any time.
What skin conditions may be studied?
Dermatology studies may focus on inflammatory skin disease, skin cancer, actinic keratosis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, or other skin concerns. Available studies change over time.
Who leads the research program?
Frieder Research Institute is led by Jillian H. Frieder, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and principal investigator with clinical dermatology research training.