Research

At Logan Health, research is more than discovery; it’s about bringing new hope, new options, and better outcomes directly to our patients. We are continually exploring innovative ways to prevent, detect, and treat disease, giving you access to tomorrow’s medicine today.  

By participating in research, patients become partners in advancing care, not just for themselves, but for their families, neighbors, and future generations.

Research studies evaluate new approaches to health care.

What Are Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate new approaches to health care. These may include new medications, medical devices, or new uses for existing treatments.  

Each study follows a detailed plan, called a protocol, that outlines how the research will be conducted and who may participate. This ensures that every trial meets the highest standards for safety, accuracy, and consistency.  

Before enrolling, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and fully understand what your participation involves, so you can make a confident, informed decision.

For many patients, clinical trials provide not only options but renewed optimism.

Why Consider Participating?

Taking part in a clinical trial can offer meaningful benefits, both personal and far-reaching: 

• Access to advanced care: Participants receive high-quality treatment and close monitoring throughout the study. If you are not receiving the new treatment, you may still receive the current standard of care.  
• Early access to promising therapies: You may be among the first to benefit from new treatments before they are widely available.  
• A more personalized experience: Clinical trials often include additional attention, follow-ups, and testing to closely track your health.  
• Helping others: Your participation contributes to medical breakthroughs that can improve care for countless others in the future.  

For many patients, clinical trials provide not only options, but renewed optimism. 

You will always be informed and cared for during this process.

Understanding the Risks

It’s important to weigh both benefits and risks when considering a clinical trial:

• New treatments may not always be more effective than current standard therapies.
• Unexpected side effects can occur, and some may be more significant than those of existing treatments.
• Not every treatment works the same for every person; even well-established therapies can vary in effectiveness.
• Participation may require additional time, appointments, or travel.

Our care teams will walk you through these considerations so you can decide what’s right for you.

You are never alone in this process.

Your Safety Comes First

Your well-being is our highest priority. Every clinical trial at Logan Health is guided by strict safety standards:

• Participation is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time.
• Studies follow federal regulations designed to protect your health and rights.
• Independent Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) oversee each study to ensure it is ethical and safe.

You are never alone in the process. Our research teams are here to support you every step of the way.

Advancing Care Together

Clinical research is how medicine moves forward. At Logan Health, it also represents a powerful partnership between patients and providers, working together to improve lives.

Whether you’re exploring new treatment options or looking for ways to make a difference, participating in a clinical trial may open the door to both.

Institutional Review Board

Under FDA regulations, an institutional review board (IRB) is an appropriately constituted group that has been formally designated to review and monitor biomedical research involving human subjects. In accordance with FDA regulations, an IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in (to secure approval) or disapprove research. This group review serves an important role in the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects.

The purpose of IRB review is to assure, both in advance and by periodic review, that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in the research. To accomplish this purpose, IRBs use a group process to review research protocols and related materials (such as informed consent documents and investigator brochures) to ensure protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects of research.

Summary of Logan Health IRB

I. Institutional Authority[1]
Logan Health, has established and maintains a Logan Health IRB that operates in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, Logan Health Policies regarding research[2], and the Logan Health IRB Handbook.

II. Purpose[3]
The purpose of the Logan Health IRB is to ensure the protection of human subjects/participants in research.

III. Principles
The Logan Health IRB is guided by the ethical principles set forth in the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research report entitled Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research (the “Belmont Report”), applicable federal and state laws and guidance, local standards and expectations, and this Handbook. These principles include:

1. Respect for Persons – Respect for persons incorporates at least two ethical convictions: first, individuals should be treated as autonomous agents; and second, those persons with diminished autonomy are entitled to protection. The principle of respect for persons thus divides into two separate moral requirements: the requirement to acknowledge autonomy and the requirement to protect those with diminished autonomy.
2. Beneficence – Persons are treated in an ethical manner, not only by respecting their decisions and protecting them from harm, but also by making efforts to secure their well-being. The term “beneficence” is often understood to cover acts of kindness or charity that go beyond strict obligation. Two general rules have been formulated as complementary expressions of beneficent actions in this sense: (1) do no harm, and (2) maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms.
3. Justice – An injustice occurs when some benefit to which a person is entitled is denied without good reason or when some burden is imposed unduly. Another way of conceiving the principle of justice is that equals ought to be treated equally. There are several widely accepted formulations of just ways to distribute burdens and benefits. Each formulation mentions some relevant property on the basis of which burdens and benefits should be distributed. These formulations are:

• To each person an equal share;
• To each person according to individual need;
• To each person according to individual effort;
• To each person according to societal contribution; and,
• To each person according to merit.

[1] 21 CFR 56.109(a); 45 CFR 46.109(a)
[2] Institutional Review Board Policy (A107); Research (A201); and Disclosure of PHI for Research (A960)
[3] 21 CFR 56.101(a) and 56.102(g); 45 CFR 46.101(a) and 46.102(g)

IRB Member Training

1. Each Logan Health IRB member shall have on file in the Logan Health IRB administrative offices a certification of completion of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Belmont Report training program. If the member is professionally certified as an Logan Health IRB professional, clinical investigator, or as a clinical coordinator, he/she will not be required to complete the HHS Belmont Report training program as long as the certification is current.
2. New Logan Health IRB members will attend a mandatory orientation to become familiar with the Logan Health IRB, duties of members and the history of the creation of the Logan Health IRB.

Contact the IRB

Institutional Review Board Coordinator
Logan Health Medical Center
310 Sunnyview Lane
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 858-6854
WKGRPIRB@logan.org

Contact Us

Logan Health Research Department
The Rock
350 Heritage Way
Kalispell, MT 59901

Phone: (406) 752-7636
Fax: (406) 752-7847
Email: DEPTresearch@logan.org