Clinical trials are a type of research that studies new treatments and evaluates their effect on humans. These are the primary way researchers find out if the new treatment is safe and effective in people before they put it out on the market for public use. 

Anyone can participate in a clinical trial, but before you start clinical trial research you should consider the following: 

  • The purpose of the study. 
  • What kind of tests are involved. 
  • Risks, side effects, and benefits of the trial. 
  • How the trial may affect your daily life.
  • Payment for participation in the trial.
  • Open-label (where you and your physician know what treatment you are getting) or blinded trial (you or your physician are not aware of the treatment) 
  • The type of long-term follow-up care is a part of the study. 
  • Who will be in charge of your care? 

Are Clinical Trials Safe? 

Clinical trials are regulated by a government agency called the Food and Drug Administration. Each study is carefully reviewed and watched over by an independent panel of qualified researchers, doctors, and members of the community called the “Institute Review Board (IRB)” to ensure the rights, safety, and welfare of the participant and the study itself is being done honestly and ethically. Remember that no treatment is safe for everyone and the trials ensure that the benefits outweigh the possible risks for most people. 

Before clinical trials are started, it will undergo years of laboratory tests and studies in animals to test its safety and efficacy. If the tests show favorable results, the FDA will approve for it to be tested in humans. 

After it goes through a series of phases and after each phase, it is submitted to FDA for review. When approved, the study can continue to the next phase.

The Pros

  • You will benefit from the treatment that is only available as a part of the trial. 
  • The new treatment may work better than the standard treatment. 
  • You can help to improve the treatment for patients in the future. 
  • You may have free checkups more often and for longer than usual. 
  • You will receive the best treatment possible for that trial. 
  • Contribute to the discovery of ways to prevent or cure diseases or health conditions. 
  • Improve the way doctors, nurses, and other health professionals treat patients. 

Cons

  • Health insurance companies do not always cover clinical trials. 
  • New treatments that are being studied are not always better or even as good as to present treatments. 
  • Even if the treatment works, it may not work for every patient. 
  • You will probably do some extra paperwork. 
  • You have more scans, blood tests, or any other tests than usual. 
  • Your checkups can take longer than usual. 

As with any treatment, you may have unexpected or serious side effects. You’ll be informed about what they know about the treatment so far, and what they think are the side effects. But expect that there will be risks and the experimental treatment could harm you.