What are the benefits of participating in a randomised clinical trial?
By participating in a randomised clinical trial patients are helping establish robust evidence as to the best way to treat a certain condition or illness, for themselves and for future generations. Taking part in the trial itself cannot guarantee better treatment although trials often see patients more frequently than normal care. Taking part in a trial is essentially an altruistic act. To some extent it is similar to donating blood. There may be no direct benefit to the patient from donating blood but sometime in the future they may benefit from a donation made by someone else. The only difference with trials is that when the results are known patients in the trial may all be switched to the best treatment.
