Clinical research, also called clinical trials, test medicine and procedures under development. This is an often overlooked option for treatment for many volunteers. Here are six reasons why you might consider participating in clinical research.
1) Discovery of important medicine and procedures
Clinical research helps the medical research community learn more about new medicines that could be lifesaving. Even clinical trials for healthy volunteers help researchers better understand new medicines and treatments in development.
2) Not just free – you may be reimbursed
Medical treatment can be incredibly expensive, even with insurance. Clinical research is an undervalued option for treatment because typically the volunteer not have to pay for his or her trial treatment, and some studies will reimburse participants for their time and/or transportation costs.
3) Real patients, real treatment
Testing new medicine in simulated conditions can only get researchers so far. Clinical research gives researchers the ability to test and understand medicines and procedures with real patients.. The clinical research patients themselves are often real patients with the disease or ailment the researchers are seeking to treat, like this story of one woman with Hepatitis C who got early access to helpful treatment.
4) Ability to randomize tests
Because of the number of patients and the resources that go along with clinical research trials, researchers are able to randomize tests. This usually means “random allocation” in which different groups of patients are assigned to different arms of a trial by chance. This helps to assure that results are not biased by unexpected factors.
5) Professional observation in a comfortable environment
The clinics where these trials take place have a team of medical professionals to observe volunteers and results of the trial, something that many other treatment plans can’t offer. In-patient studies conducted by DaVita Clinical Research (DCR) are conducted by a group of medically trained staff in a controlled and comfortable environment; outpatient studies conducted by DCR are conducted at clinics where patients are receiving their regular medical care. To find out more about what clinical trials you may eligible for, requirements to participate, and details about reimbursement for a clinical trial, speak to a recruiter today!
6)Advancing science
Finally, not only is clinical research often advantageous for the volunteer and for the particular medicine or treatment being tested, it also has the added benefit of helping to advance the field of medicine in general. Clinical research helps scientists and doctors to better understand the human body and how to use treatments that may have vast positive benefits for people in need.
Disclaimer: Phase 1 (in-patient) clinical trials are not intended to treat a disease or condition. Phase 3 (out-patient) clinical trials may help treat an existing disease or condition. The information presented in this blog may be referring to either a phase 1 clinical trial or to a phase 3 clinical trial or to both. If you contact us regarding a trial, be sure to speak with the recruiter about whether or not the trial is intended to treat a condition.