A clinical trial is a medical survey conducted on a small group of people to help researchers identify whether a new medication is effective. For decades, trials have been done in major medical centers. Some people preferred to get treatment from major medical centers because of the experience, ready resources, and reputation of the facility. However, it also meant that many people had to travel a long distance to get treatment from unknown doctors.
Today, it’s easier for patients to access clinical trials from anywhere and enjoy patient protection. Most clinical trial participants get the information from their doctors, but patients can also search for trials online. Trials help to present more treatment options, especially for cancer patients.
Where Can One Get Information on a Current Clinical Trial?
There are websites that helps people search for clinical trials. The results come with the requirements needed for one to get a trial and contact person. Some are likely to give detailed information, like the stage and type of ailment being treated.
General Clinical Trial Listings
Depending on your type of disease, websites are responsible for posting the details. Although they might vary, trial listings appear on all of the recommended sites. They happen to have contact information that a person might use to get more details of their search. These resources may be helpful:
· Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation
· National Institute of Health
· EmergingMed clinical trial navigator service
Private Companies
Pharmaceutical companies who wish to prove if their medication is effective before it’s released in the market often conduct clinical trials. They usually list the areas they are sponsoring and have a toll-free number where you can reach them for more information. Other instructions and private organizations are also on the front to fund clinical trials to ensure that the medication is effective before it’s officially launched.
The Study Protocol
A study protocol is often a written plan sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and an institutional review board (IRB) for approval before any study in people. What it explains:
- Detailed information on the treatment and previous results, if there is any
- The number of people involved and its phase
- Expected participants
- How the treatment will be administered
- What tests to be done and when
- How long the trial will last
- How study protocol can be complicated for patients to understand
What to Do if You Are Eligible for a Clinical Trial
Deciding what to do next can be quite a task since you may not be sure it’s right for your condition. Finding more than one option can be thrilling, but also make it hard to identify with one. It’s advisable to talk to the principal investigator in charge of the study to get more information. Their main objective is to ensure people understand the study before becoming part of it. You will get the most detailed answers from them, but bear in mind they are likely to be biased to their study.
Getting Started
Talk to a doctor whom you trust and give the clinical study details; they are likely to provide you with advice or a better option that will work for your condition. Seek a second opinion from family and loved ones or even a personal doctor. They are in a position to figure out details you may have missed.
Altus Research is a privately owned clinical research site with an experienced team of professionals on board. If you are in the Lake Worth, FL area or are interested in exploring the resources we have to offer, visit our website or get in contact with us today.
