Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Ella?
Everyday Lives Leading Advances: Ella is a people-powered research initiative. Our health portal connects registered users to reliable wellness information, clinical trial opportunities, and each other.
Why did you start Ella?
We are a group of physicians, clinicians, and scientists who believe scientific progress should move faster. We created Ella because we wanted to build a participant-centered research community. We believe that by starting with people first, we will accelerate health breakthroughs.
Who is behind Ella?
Trusted Medical Research Institute (TMRI), a part of Trusted Medical, is conducting the Ella: Height & Weight Registry research. We have teamed up with doctors, professors, and researchers at Yale School of Medicine to create Ella. TMRI is the doing-business-as (DBA) of Trusted Medical.
What is the difference between Trusted Medical and Ella?
Trusted Medical is an innovative medical clinic with locations throughout the U.S. Our team includes licensed physicians and advanced practice providers. We strive to deliver the highest quality of care to patients. Ella is a study conducted by Trusted Medical Research Institute.
Who can join Ella?
Ella is open to adults aged 18 or older who are interested in improving their health and wellness and learning about tools for weight management.
What happens if I sign up for Ella?
When you sign up for Ella, we will ask you to join our Health & Weight Registry. The information you enter in the registry will aid research. It might also help you get chosen for future clinical trials. Once you finish joining the registry, we will ask you to fill out a health profile. We may use this information to match you with future health or research opportunities.
Is joining Ella considered a clinical trial?
No. Joining Ella allows you to take part in our Health & Weight Registry. This is a research study, not a clinical trial. Your participation in the registry may identify clinical trials aligned with your goals and profile. You will never be entered into any trial or research without your full consent.
Do I get paid for signing up?
There is no compensation for joining the Ella Health & Weight Registry. However, we may offer milestone-based incentives. Members who participate in research questionnaires or clinical trials might receive a small payment for their time, travel, or expenses.
Once I join Ella, how long will my enrollment last?
Enrollment is open-ended, and you can withdraw from Ella and the Health & Weight Registry at any time. We will immediately stop data collection upon withdrawal. However, previously collected data may be used for further research purposes.
Is my personal information safe?
Yes. Our data collection platform is HIPAA-compliant and SOC 2-certified. Any personally identifiable information (PII) is stored separately with strict access controls. Even with these protections, it is important you know there is still a possible risk of loss of confidentiality.
If I sign up, how often will you contact me?
You control how often you want us to contact you, and you select your preferred contact methods. However, we may still send occasional email reminders about missing data or new research opportunities.
What happens after I sign up for the Health & Weight Registry?
After you join the Ella registry, you will complete a brief registration survey. You will then receive periodic follow-up surveys every eight weeks.
Will I get any research results?
Yes. Research participants will receive feedback in different ways. For example, you may receive a personalized summary, or you could be invited to a town hall where comprehensive results are shared.
What data will I need to share?
We will ask you to provide basic information about your health and weight. We may also ask questions about your medical history, such as weight changes over time and your experience with past medical treatment.
Are there any risks to participating?
You may find that some questions prompt emotional discomfort. However, you can skip any question and stop at any time.
What are the potential benefits of joining the Health & Weight Registry?
By joining the Ella registry, you become part of a collective that is accelerating discovery, improving health, and reshaping the future of medical research.
Do I need to visit a doctor's office or clinic?
No. The Health & Weight Registry is online only. You will not need to leave home to participate. However, if you eventually enroll in a clinical trial, you may need to visit a medical office. You will learn the details of any required in-person visits before you sign up for a trial.
How much does this cost?
Ella is always free.
If I sign up for a clinical trial, am I guaranteed to get the medication?
Clinical trials use placebos to test whether medications work. In a double-blind clinical trial, which is the gold standard for FDA approval, neither the researchers nor the participants know who is getting a placebo and who is getting the trial medication. This means that you will not know if you are getting the medication, and neither will the people giving it to you.
Are there any apps I can use for Ella?
There are no applications for tracking your participation in the registry. Everything is run from the Ella platform. We will notify you if an app is available for download in the future.
Can I access Ella on my phone?
Ella works across platforms — your laptop, your smartphone, or your tablet. We designed Ella so you can easily use it on the go, wherever you are.
Still have more questions?
We’re happy to answer them!