Medical Research Volunteers
You’ve read the notices…on the bus, metro, in the papers or a waiting room….Would you like to participate in a medical study? What is it? Why should you? And how do you find them?
A medical study aims to eventually develop treatment therapies for health issues.
Medical research and trials have been going on for centuries. Before modern times, research and trials were “hit or miss”. The scientist or physician might use family members, workers, slaves, or him or herself as test subjects. Because of much abuse and our social awareness, medical procedures are now formalized. Trained specialists conduct clinical trials. There are educational credentials important for researchers, and specialties such as “GCP” Good Critical Practices, “CRA” Clinical Research Associates”, and “CDM” Clinical Data Managers. Participants must give “informed consent”.
Why would you want to participate in a medical study?
Like many people you are hoping for a benefit personally, or perhaps you have an altruistic motive to help future generations. Depending on the trial you volunteer for you could:
- Get significant medical testing and results done at no cost to you or your insurer
- Get specialized medical attention earlier even before a potential diagnosis or development of a particular condition or illness
- Be compensated for participation to mitigate the inconvenience, transportation costs etc.
- Obtain some first-hand education about a particular medical issue of interest
How do you find a medical study of interest to you?
The National Institute of Health manages a website: www.clinicaltrials.gov.
You can search by location, or by illness (common and rare) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimers. You might also choose by interest: vision, hearing, aging, athlete and so forth. The website gives you information about the requirements to participate, the locale, purpose of the study, and contact info. If you live in a metropolitan area, with many medical researchers, and teaching hospitals you may find just the right study to benefit you.
