Before enrolling in a clinical trial, participants must qualify based on very strict outlines in the protocol called the inclusion/exclusion criteria. It’s an important principle of medical research that helps to produce reliable results. These criteria are based on many factors, some of which include: age, gender, the type and stage of medical conditions, previous medical history, and current medications.
Once the basic criteria seem to be met, determination may also involve: physical exams, laboratory testing, and other diagnostic tests. This ensures that researchers will be able to answer the questions they plan to study.
Some of the benefits to participating in clinical trials include: volunteers can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.
However, it is important to remember the purpose of a clinical trial is to gain medical knowledge on a drug or device that is not yet on the market. As well as find new uses for drugs and devices already on the market. Therefore not everyone who volunteers to participate will be selected to join.
At CRCF there is no cost to volunteers for participating in a study. All medical care, medications and procedures performed for the study purposes are provided by the study sponsors and will not be charged to you or your insurance. In addition a study may provide compensation for your time and travel at each study visit.