As a research volunteer, you may receive free medication and free medical care for the condition being treated. Many studies pay for many diagnostic procedures like ECGs, x-rays, mammograms, and BMD's . You may also be compensated for your time and travel.

As you participate, you will have a chance to talk with health care professionals about your medical condition. In many cases, they can provide you with counseling on issues like diet and exercise, preventative therapies, etc. But, most importantly, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your participation may help medical professionals to better understand and treat disease.

   Clinical Research: ...is it right for me?

What is Clinical Research?

Before a new drug is sold, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must be absolutely certain that it is both safe and effective. In order to be sure, a drug must pass through several phases of testing. Most involve giving the drug to research volunteers under the watchful eye of a physician investigator.

History of Clinical Research

Before the early twentieth century, drugs sold in the U.S. were not regulated. Anyone could create a concoction and proclaim that it would cure anything from colds to cancer.

In 1906 the Foods and Drugs Act established that drugs must meet standards of strength and purity. A poisonous and untested drug that caused the tragic death of 107 people prompted the government to create the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act in 1938. This law required manufacturers to prove safety before a drug could be sold.

In 1951, the Durham-Humphrey Amendment defined prescription drugs as those that must be taken under a doctor's supervision.

Another tragedy occurred in 1962 that further defined the clinical research process. In western Europe, thousands of babies with birth defects were born to mothers who had been taking a sedative, thalidomide. The Kefauver-Harris Amendment required the following:

Preclinical and purity data must be collected
Effectiveness must be proven by at least 2 controlled research studies
Informed consent must be obtained from volunteers participating in a research study
Today, clinical research is conducted only by qualified physicians and is closely monitored by the FDA and independent review boards that work hard to protect the research volunteers.

Even after a drug is approved for sale, it is carefully monitored by the manufacturer to make sure that it is always safe and effective.

What is a Research Volunteer?

Before any research study can begin, patients or research volunteers must be identified who meet certain inclusion criteria. In other words, these patients must have the condition that is being treated. Exclusion criteria are conditions that must not be present. If these conditions are present, it might not be safe for them to participate in the study or it might make it difficult for the investigator to judge if the study medication is helping them.

Participation in a research study is voluntary! A research volunteer may withdraw from the study at any time. The physician/investigator may also withdraw a volunteer from a study if he/she feels it is in the patient's best interest.

As a research volunteer, you are expected to follow the study instructions very carefully and to attend all scheduled clinic visits. You may be asked to keep records of the medicine you take and report any changes in your health.

What are the Benefits of Being a Research Volunteer?

As a research volunteer, you may receive free medication and free medical care for the condition being treated. Many studies pay for many diagnostic procedures like ECGs and X-Rays. You may also be compensated for your time and travel.

As you participate, you will have a chance to talk with health care professionals about your medical condition.  In many cases, they can provide you with counseling on issues like diet and exercise, preventative therapies, etc.

But, most importantly, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your participation may help medical professionals to better understand and treat disease.

How Do I Become A Study Volunteer

To begin the process of becoming a study volunteer, please click here for our demographic questionnaire.