Research and Innovation

Four Seasons Research and Innovation Team leads the nation in healthcare advancements and improvements that benefit the people in our local communities and across the nation. Our research department was founded to enhance the services Four Seasons provides to the residents living in our communities. Through clinical research, we have the ability to provide medications and/or services that might otherwise not be available.

Why is Clinical Research so important to us at Four Seasons?

The Four Seasons Research and Innovation department was created in 2005 to enhance the services Four Seasons provides to patients in our 13-county, Western North Carolina service area. We are dedicated to developing and implementing innovative solutions to improve care for patients and families and to developing best practices in care delivery for those with advanced illness.

Research and Innovation has conducted over 40 studies and grant projects focused on symptom management and quality of life. These studies and projects have seen remarkable results in improved pain and symptom scores from those, and Four Seasons is committed to offering these services to our patients.

Who can participate in a clinical research trial?

Participation is not limited to Hospice and Palliative Care clients. Any person who is interested and meets study-specific eligibility criteria may participate on a completely voluntary basis. Any study volunteer may decide to refuse to participate or to withdraw from a study at any time.

In keeping with our mission of Co-Creating The Care Experience, we choose studies based upon the potential to improve symptom management and quality of life. We have seen remarkable results in improved pain and symptom scores from our previous trials and offered these services to our patients.

Why participate in a clinical research trial?

Previous study volunteers cite many reasons they decided to participate. Some of those are as follows:

Patients feel they are leaving a legacy
Participating in research studies may help patients gain access to new treatments that are not otherwise available
Research treatments may improve quality of life by reducing pain or other symptoms
Study participation contributes to medical knowledge, which aids in improving treatments to future patients and helps to define best clinical practice