How to Participate in Clinical Trials

Everyday new drugs are being created to fight various ailments. Immediate approval is never a given in the drug industry. Many drugs and treatment protocols are tested in a small group before being allowed in the public. These tests are called clinical trials. Here is how to participate in one.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Contact research staff. Many clinical trials can be found at clinicaltrials.gov. There are also other places where trials are advertised. TV and radio often carry promotional teasers about clinical trials taking place in a specific area. The newspaper's classified section is also a good source of information.
2. Decide what type of trial is most beneficial. Interventional studies allow interaction between the investigator and the study subjects. Observational studies limit investigators by limiting research to simply observing certain activity and measuring outcomes.
3. Review the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria outlines who can be in the study, while the exclusion criteria outlines who cannot be in the study. The study criteria, including age, sex and disease stage, should be clearly stated.
4. Read informed consent. The goal of the study is stated in the informed consent. It is crucial that the participant knows all the details related to the desired outcomes of the study. Any items not understood in the informed consent should be reviewed with a clinician. All questions regarding the study should be answered for the participant before the participant agrees to proceed with the trial.