Join a study
Group Health Research Institute (GHRI) often seeks Group Health members and others to serve as study participants. Those who participate are helping Group Health to evaluate innovative ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. It's all part of Group Health's mission to improve health care for everybody.
The Institute is currently looking for people to participate in the following research projects:
- Chronic neck pain study
- Menopause research
- Stride study
(Improving care for people with depression) - Tobacco-related research
Research at Group Health is reviewed by oversight committees that include Group Health staff and consumers. These committees ensure that:
- All studies have scientific merit
- All studies are consistent with Group Health's mission
- Study participants are informed of the risks and benefits of research
- Study participants give their informed consent to be part of the research
Participants' privacy and rights are protected. Researchers follow strict standards to guard the privacy of medical records and study information.
Participation is strictly voluntary. When people decide not to participate in a study, it doesn't affect their care at Group Health in any way.
If you qualify for one of the studies that's currently recruiting participants, please consider taking part. And, if you know others who might be interested, please pass the word.
Chronic Neck Pain Study
Is your neck pain becoming a pain in the neck?
If you suffer from chronic neck pain, you might be interested in Group Health’s latest study of therapeutic massage
First, answer these five questions to see if you might be eligible for the study:
- Are you 20-64 years old?
- Have you had neck pain for at least 3 months?
- Have you NOT received massage for neck or back pain within the last year?
- Have you NOT received massage for any reason within the last 3 months?
- Are you able to attend massage treatments up to three times per week at the Metropolitan Park East Building in Downtown Seattle?
If you answer YES to all these questions, you may be eligible for this study! Call 1-888-324-3651 today if you’re interested in taking part.
If you get our voicemail, leave your name, telephone number, and the best time for us to reach you. One of our team members will call you about the study and ask you a few more questions to see if you may be eligible.
Space is limited. Call us today at 1-888-324-3651.
The Stride Study (Ages 18 and up) is a research program studying ways to help and support people who receive treatment for depression in clinics at Group Health in the Seattle area and at the Swedish Cherry Hill Clinic. The goal of this study is to improve care for people with depression.
There are three steps to this study:
- Step 1 is a 10-minute phone survey that asks about your health and any physical or emotional symptoms you may be having. Your answers will tell us whether or not you qualify for the next step. Even if you do not qualify, the survey information we collect is still very helpful.
- Step 2 is an in-person interview at our research clinic in downtown Seattle or on Capitol Hill that will last about one hour. After the interview, you will receive $20 as a thank you.
- In Step 3, we may offer you extra services designed to improve your health and lifestyle including educational materials and support by phone and in-person visits. We will divide people in the study into two equal groups by chance, as if flipping a coin. Half will receive the extra services, and half will receive their normal health care. We will find out how helpful the extra services are by asking both groups to do up to 5 phone interviews over the next two years. You will receive $20 for each interview you complete ($30 for the last interview).
We will notify everyone about whether or not they have been selected for additional services. These services are not meant to replace your regular care. Instead, they are meant to make your regular care more helpful. You do not have to accept any of the extra services we offer you. You are free to decide which services you want to try. The study will pay for the extra services you use, but you will need to pay any costs related to your regular care.
If you have questions or would like more information please call us toll-free at 1-877-224-3840.
If you are currently enrolled in a GHRI study and are looking for study forms, please see our Study Information and Forms page.
If you would like to know where GHRI's research clinic is located, please see our Driving Directions to GHRI Clinic page.