Black people make up 14% of the US population but only 5-7% of clinical trial participants, according to the National Cancer Institute. Participating in a clinical trial can make a huge difference in your life or the lives of others.
Understanding how clinical trials work and why they are conducted will help you understand how impactful they are in the progression of medicine and other types of treatment.
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What Happens During The Screening Process?
Clinical trial participants are screened heavily to ensure that every participant meets the requirements of the trial. If accepted into a clinical trial, you must complete the necessary paperwork agreeing to participation and undergo baseline assessments.
- Paperwork may include a consent form, contact information, an explanation of the trial and other trial details, and more.
- Assessments may include blood or urine tests, scans, a review of your medical history, and other potential tests relevant to the trial.
- You will have the opportunity to meet and speak with research staff (nurses, coordinators, doctors, etc.) and get answers to any questions.
What Happens After You’re Accepted?
Once you are accepted, the details of your participation will be explained to you so you understand your commitment. How involved you are will depend on the type of clinical trial study you are in and the trial’s goals. Don’t be shy. Ask your questions.
Clinical trials are 100% at-will, so you can withdraw your participation without repercussions if you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Is There Compensation?
Compensation for clinical trials can vary based on things like the duration of the said trial, funding, and more. Per an article from Pub Med, compensation can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, when applicable. Your research team will make this known to you during the entry process.
Are Clinical Trials Safe?
Safety is a top priority during a clinical trial; multiple checks are regularly conducted to ensure this. Teams of research nurses, doctors, coordinators, and others are put in place to monitor, document, and assist patients and researchers and ensure the processes proceed accordingly.
Where Are Clinical Trials Conducted?
Clinical trials are conducted in various medical centers, hospitals, and doctor’s offices.
How Long Do Clinical Trials Last?
There is no set length for clinical trials. The trial length depends on the type of treatment, illness, ongoing findings, the number of participants needed to complete the trial, and even a participant’s ability. A clinical trial can last from a year to a decade or more.
What Happens After The Trial Ends?
Once you’ve completed your time in a trial, you will be guided on how to conclude your participation. If any medical devices or support materials that need to be returned were given to you, now is the time to return them. The research team will help you transition to your primary healthcare team’s full-time care and treatment if applicable.
Many drugs in trials are being approved, so if you want to keep up with the study, you can ask the research team for details or check scientific journals and publications later. Trial data is public.
Participating in clinical trials can help impact the health and lives of many. Every test or treatment can save or improve a life. We must destigmatize what happens during clinical trials to encourage our community to get involved. Representation matters, and if over 80% of those participating in clinical trials are White, our community is vastly underrepresented.
To get an in-depth understanding of clinical trials, visit the National Institute of Health website.
If you want to participate in clinical trials, ask your healthcare provider or visit clinicaltrials.gov.
