Clinical trials can provide participants with access to new treatments, medical care, and contribution to medical research.\u00a0 While participating can deliver these and more benefits, the decision to volunteer should not be a hasty one.\u00a0 If you are interested in volunteering in a clinical trial, you should be well informed before making the final decision.\u00a0 Below we have answered frequently asked questions to which potential participants should know the answers.<\/p>\n
A clinical trial is a medical research study in which volunteers undergo physician-supervised, investigational treatment to determine the treatment\u2019s benefits.<\/p>\n
Volunteers are assigned to different study groups, one of which receives the investigational treatment (usually an investigational drug) while the other receives a placebo (a substance with no effect) treatment or one that already exists.<\/p>\n
The results and data of each group are evaluated against each other to help determine the effectiveness of the new treatment.<\/p>\n
Volunteers must qualify to participate in treatment and are evaluated based on two sets of criteria, inclusion criteria (factors that investigators are seeking out) and exclusion criteria (factors that investigators do not want participants to have).\u00a0 Some trials seek participants with a certain illness, while others require healthy patients.<\/p>\n
Volunteers can expect a physical exam, a review of medical history, and to have their healthy continually monitored if chosen.<\/p>\n
No.\u00a0 There are always risks involved with trials, and if a participant feels that he\/she needs to end participation at any time he\/she can.<\/p>\n
Personal information of participants is available to the investigator and research team conducting the trial.\u00a0 In some cases, the institutional review board overseeing the research may have access to this information as well.<\/p>\n
The data obtained in the trial is collected to evaluate the investigational drug or treatment (effectiveness, safety, side effects, etc.) and determine whether or not the research group should continue with their work in the study or stop.<\/p>\n
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, consult with your physician to ask more questions related to a specific trial (e.g. how long the trial will last, what the main purpose is, possible risks\/benefits, etc.).<\/p>\n
For more information, contact the Dallas Pain Relief Center.<\/a><\/p>\n