Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Clinical trials are research studies performed in people that are aimed at evaluating a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention. They are the primary way that researchers find out if a new treatment, like a new drug or diet or medical device, is safe and effective in people.

People participate in clinical trials for various reasons. Some join to help advance medical science and contribute to the development of better treatments for others. Others may participate because they have a condition or disease that is not responding well to standard treatments, and they hope to find an effective therapy through the trial.

Safety is a top priority in clinical trials, but like any medical intervention, they come with risks. The specifics of these risks depend on the nature of the trial. Participants are monitored closely for side effects, and they are informed about the potential risks before they agree to join.

You can find clinical trials by talking to your doctor, who may know of trials in your area. Additionally, there are several online databases, like ClinicalTrials.gov in the United States, where you can search for trials based on your condition, location, and other factors. If you are looking for curated clinical trials, you may want to join an online registry like Curated Clincial, which provides tailored opportunities and educational resources for diverse populations to weight the pros and cons of participating.

Some clinical trials offer compensation for participation, while others do not. Compensation can vary widely depending on the trial's requirements and duration. However, not all trials provide payment, and for some, the primary benefit is access to potentially effective treatments and contributing to medical research.

Yes, participation in a clinical trial is completely voluntary. You can leave a trial at any time and for any reason without it affecting your future medical care.

Deciding to join a clinical trial is a personal decision that should be made after discussing it with your healthcare provider. Consider the potential benefits and risks, how it might impact your daily life, and your health goals and needs.

The process varies depending on the trial's design. Generally, participants undergo an initial screening, followed by the treatment or intervention phase, and then regular follow-up visits or assessments to monitor outcomes and side effects.

Yes, there are several types, including treatment trials (testing new treatments), prevention trials (looking to prevent health problems), diagnostic trials (finding better ways to diagnose conditions), and screening trials (testing ways to detect diseases earlier).

Clinical trials follow strict federal guidelines on patient privacy. Your personal health information is kept confidential and is not disclosed without your permission. The specifics of how data is protected will be outlined in the consent form for the trial.