Participating in Clinical Trials
Primary care physicians and specialists at Carilion Clinic participate in a variety of research projects and clinical trials. If you think you may be interested in participating in a study, here are some things you should know.
Patients have many reasons for volunteering for research studies. Some hope to improve care for future patients with health problems like theirs. Others hope to receive the newest treatments or free care they need but can’t afford. Whatever your reason for volunteering, it’s important to make an informed decision about whether this experience is right for you.
Choosing to be a research volunteer is a complicated decision. Your doctor can help you make an informed decision. Research is different from regular medical treatment because the goals are different. The goal of regular treatment is always the well-being of the individual patient. A doctor recommends the tests and care that are best for a specific patient by balancing the risks against the likely benefits for that patient. In contrast, the goal of research is to increase knowledge of human health and to better understand medical problems and diseases to improve future patient care. You can consider this worthy goal when deciding whether to participate in research.
A researcher asks you to participate in a study because you meet the specific requirements of that study, not necessarily because the study will benefit you personally. Participating in a research study may or may not help you personally. Each study is based on an action plan called a protocol, not on the specific needs of the individual study volunteers. Some elements of the research study may be part of your usual care and others may not. The study may require that you have tests or procedures done just for research purposes. You may or may not receive the new product or treatment being studied. Some studies compare a new product, such as a drug, against a drug already prescribed by doctors and/or against no treatment at all. Study volunteers may receive the new product, the established product, or an inactive "sugar pill" called a placebo. Usually, neither the volunteers nor the researchers know who is receiving what.
Your decision to volunteer as a research subject should be based on your needs and values, not on a desire to please your doctor. Your decision shouldn’t change your relationship with your doctor or your access to regular care. You have the right to ask questions about a study and to quit a study at any time. Before you agree (consent) to participate in a study, you must understand the purpose of the study, what will be involved, the potential risks and benefits, and the alternative options for treatment.
Questions You Should Ask About the Study:
- What is the study about?
- Why should I participate?
- What exactly will happen to me and what will I have to do?
- If I participate in a clinical trial, what are the potential benefits and risks to me?
- Are there other treatment options that I should consider instead?
- How will this study affect my regular ongoing care? Could my participation in the study affect or limit my treatment options in the future?
- Who is paying for this study? Who will make money from the results?
- If I participate, will I receive free health care? Will I be paid? Will there be costs to me or my insurance company for my participation?
- Who do I talk to if I have questions or concerns about the study?
- What if I decide to quit the study?
- What will be done with the study results? Will I be informed?
- Does my doctor benefit if I participate? How?
- How will my privacy be protected? Who will have access to my study record? Will my regular medical record be separate from the study records?
