Ten Things to Know Before Joining Clinical Trials!
Clinical trials are how researchers and chemists working with drug companies check out the effectiveness of new drugs before they are made available to the general public. There are many people who apply for clinical trials and the reasons are varied, making some quick money being one of the most common of them.
If you want to apply for clinical trials, for reasons of recharging your monetary funds or because you want to try out newer treatment options for some ailment,there are some things that you should keep in mind before signing up on any contract.
Ten important points and guidelines include the following:
Risk Compensation
Before you jump on the clinical trial wagon, understand that there maybe some risks involved. However, such risks are minimal as even these researchers have to follow certain guidelines and regulatory norms.
Approved Phases
There are 4 approved phases of clinical trials. The first phase is the most paying and is also the most risky as the drugs are tested for the first time. The second phase of clinical trials is less risky and pays a little less and so on.
Schedule
Before joining a clinical trial, you need to be aware of the duration for which you are going on trial, the number of hours each day or week or month you have to be present at the research centre or whether you would need to spend a few consecutive days at the research centre etc.
Different Kinds of Clinical Trials
Not all clinical trials require participants to intake drugs. Certain drugs are topical, some participants are given placebo pills; in other kinds of clinical trials, participants are asked to provide details regarding their conditions, symptoms etc.It is important to know what is expected of you before signing up for any clinical trial.
Voluntary Participation and You Can Discontinue Trial at Anytime
You essentially volunteer for a clinical trial, in return of some payment. At any point if you think you are not willing to participate in the clinical trial, you are free to discontinue.
Consultation with Regular Healthcare Provider
Consult with your regular healthcare provider before joining clinical trial to understand your medical history, allergies, drug interactions, during treatment support etc.
Details of Clinical Trial Procedure
There maybe written terms and conditions or other necessary guidelines which you need to understand for a safe clinical trial. Make sure you read through any paperwork well to avoid problems or inconveniences later on and understand the process better.
Follow up Medical Care
Often, after the clinical trial, follow up medical consultation is not provided. You need to speak with the research teams and your healthcare provider to get an idea about continued treatment, side effect management etc.
Coverage of Expenses
Many research providers cover commute expenses, allow work/study hours, find suitable healthcare programmes etc.
Where to Apply
To apply for clinical trials, look up websites of research centres, pharmaceuticals or newsletters etc.
