Who participates in Clinical Trials?
In the past, clinical trials were sometimes seen as a last resort for people who had no other treatment choices. Today, patients with common diseases often choose to receive treatment in a clinical trial. Some people are excited about the possibility of participating in a clinical trial. Others do not wish to participate.
People with the condition being studied as well as healthy people can volunteer to participate in a clinical trial. The FDA has very strict requirements that specify which studies involve healthy volunteers and which studies involve patients with condition being studied. Each study has specific requirements such as age, gender, or medical/psychiatric condition for participants. Initially, a research assistant will ask you basic information about your current condition and medications during a brief interview by phone or in person that will allow them to find out if you are a good candidate to participate in a clinical trial. If you qualify based on the phone screen, you will be scheduled for an appointment to speak to the doctor or nurse practitioner. During the clinical appointment the study will be discussed with you in detail and you will be given the opportunity to decide if you want to participate in the study.
