Often, people don’t pay very much attention to clinical trials until they or a loved one have a serious illness or condition. This is unfortunate, as clinical trials are essential to the development of new medicine. They can benefit not only the participants, but also other individuals suffering from a particular condition. Trials determine whether new treatments work in humans and if they are safe for widespread use. Researchers do not know the outcome of any given trial. Some amount of risk is inherent in medical research. These risks are, in part, what makes volunteering so significant. Clinical trial participants play a key role in the advancement of medicine and the health sciences, and new treatments cannot be developed without them.
Given their importance, here are three major reasons to consider joining a clinical trial:
You gain access to new and promising treatments. During clinical trials, experimental options are tested that are not yet available to the public at large. There is a chance it might be more effective than the current available treatments, and you might be the first to benefit from the new treatment being studied.
You receive additional medical care from the research team. Joining a clinical study means you will be treated by a team of caregivers that may include physicians, nurses, research coordinators, social workers, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. This team will have an understanding of your condition and the shared purpose of running a safe and measured study. The extra medical attention, on top of your routine care, might be helpful as this means you have additional experts monitoring any changes to your condition.
You personally contribute to research that may benefit others in the future. The results of clinical trials have the potential to affect interventions being offered nationally and internationally, both in the near and distant future. Moreover, what researchers learn might not only benefit your particular condition, but related conditions.
Clinical trials lead to important breakthroughs in all aspects of science. Every new drug, device, or procedure on the market today has a story behind it—one involving human volunteers. Making the informed decision to join a trial has far and wide reaching implications, not just for you, but your family, friends, and society.
This blog is intended to be informational in nature. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.
If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.
