No matter where you live, anyone can take active steps to make a difference in their community. One great way to support the health and wellness of your fellow residents by getting involved in clinical trials. Medical breakthroughs have one thing in common: they all start with clinical study participants – people just like you!
But, before diving into the first clinical trial you see, it’s smart to spend some time learning more about the research center and the investigational study. Make sure you’ve done your research if you are interested in participating in a trial relating to a diagnosed health condition. For example, if you have been diagnosed with cancer, be sure you know the type and location, stage, and any previous treatments or medications you have taken
It’s also important to educate yourself on the types of trials out there. You should also consider what might or might not be a good fit for you. If you’re looking for a cutting-edge treatment for your condition, consider randomization and the placebo effect. Do you feel comfortable with the possibility that you may not be getting the actual treatment? Are you comfortable moving forward with the treatment given the risks, as well as the potential benefits?
Once you’ve found a study that you want to be part of, check to see if you meet the inclusion criteria— which will vary from study to study. Factors can include age, gender, location, diagnosis, and medical history, to name a few. You can also take some time to learn about any possible side effects, the details of each individual study, whether or not there is compensation and your rights as a volunteer.
Clinical researchers are constantly looking for volunteers to join their studies. If you keep an eye out, you will likely see advertisements recruiting volunteers for various studies in your daily life. These are often on the buses or billboards, for example. If you meet the criteria and are interested in joining, be sure to check the credibility of the institution running the trial, usually a well-known hospital or university. You can also check out some of our recommendations below to find a good fit:
Clinical researchers welcome and encourage diverse candidates to apply. So regardless of your background, there is a good chance that you might qualify for a study!
If you would like to know more about clinical research in general, check out our answers to frequently asked questions, learn some interesting facts about clinical research, or find out about diseases that may be cured within our lifetime thanks to clinical research and its volunteers.
You can also ask your doctor for recommendations or check for any enrolling studies at community hospitals or universities in your area. Additionally, you can always contact us to learn more about participating in clinical studies in the Orlando area.
