FAQ: Pros & Cons of Joining a Clinical Trial
What are the pros and cons of joining a Clinical Trial?
People should learn as much as possible about the clinical trials that interest them. Prospective participants should understand what happens during the trial, the type of health care they will receive, and any costs to them. Anyone considering a clinical trial should also know that there are benefits and risks associated with participating.
Potential benefits
Participating in well-designed and well-executed clinical trials is one approach for eligible participants/volunteers to:
1) get actively involved in their health care;
2) gain access to potentially new research treatments;
3) have access to expert medical care for the condition being studied, since investigators are often specialists in the disease area being studied; and
4) help others by contributing to medical research.
Possible risks
There are generally known and unknown risks associated with clinical trials, such as:
1) there may be unpleasant, serious, or even life-threatening side effects
resulting from the treatment;
2) the treatment may not be effective for the participant;
3) the protocol may require more of the participant's time and attention than a standard treatment.
Payment/compensation
Subjects are sometimes paid for their participation in research, especially in the early phases of investigational drug, biologic or device development. Payment to research subjects for participation in studies is considered an incentive. The amount of compensation is determined by the amount of time you will be required to dedicate to the trial, and to the level of discomfort that might be associated with medical or surgical procedures related directly to the study. Payments are also used to help pay for transportation costs to and from the clinical research center.
Continued Treatment
Will the treatment be stopped at the end of the trial, even if the participant feels it is beneficial? Some sponsors continue to provide products while others do not.
|
