Medical research is an important way to improve the health care offered to patients. Because many of the LCI physicians are also academic cardiologists holding positions at the medical school, patients seen at LCI may be offered opportunities to participate in clinical research studies at the Clinic. Studies have shown that patients who participate in medical research receive better medical care because of the closer medical supervision required as part of the research.  However, participation is entirely voluntary and refusal to participate in research does not affect the quality of medical care you would otherwise receive.