How to Participate in Clinical Research
Thousands of clinical research studies are conducted every year. There are many resources to help you find clinical studies:
- your doctor may be able to refer you for participation in a clinical study
- ads may appear in the newspaper, or on radio or TV
- various government agencies, university medical facilities and patient associations/disease associations list clinical studies on their Web sites
- ClinicalTrials.gov is the largest global registry of clinical studies and allows you to search by your location and condition of interest.
- CISCRP (Center for Information & Study on Clinical Research Participation) offers educational information, news and clinical research listings
How do I qualify for a "patient" trial?
Although each trial with a testing population is different, each potential patient receives the same high level of care during a comprehensive screening process, which includes:
- medical history
- current medications
- preliminary screening exams
- study-specific diagnostic tests
In addition, the following may also be required:
- a copy of your medical records for review and approval
- approval by your personal physician
The goal of our screening process is to ensure that you are a suitable patient for the study in question.
Is this study right for me?
In deciding whether to participate, read the informed consent form and ask questions. Be sure you evaluate the following:
- the purpose of the study, the type of investigational medication, and study procedures
- the study structure, including any in-house stays or outpatient visits
- the total length of the study and your availability to complete the trial
- the location of the research facility and your available transportation
- any costs associated with trial participation versus any financial compensation received for participating
- any potential discomforts/risks versus benefits of participating