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Jun 11 2009
Clinical Trials Risks & Benefits
According to ClinicalTrials.gov, there are multiple benefits and risks associated with participating in a clinical study.
Benefits
Clinical studies that are well-designed and well-executed are the best approach for eligible participants to:
- Play an active role in their own health care
- Gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available
- Obtain expert medical care at leading health care facilities during the study
- Help others by contributing to medical research
Risks
There are risks to clinical studies:
- There may be unpleasant, serious, or even life-threatening side effects to experimental treatment.
- The experimental treatment may not be effective for the participant.
- The protocol may require more time and attention than would a non-protocol treatment, including trips to the study site, more treatments, hospital stays, or complex dosage requirements.
You should talk with your doctor and carefully consider both the potential benefits and risks of participation before enrolling in a clinical study; however, if you qualify, the actual decision whether to participate is yours to make.
Your Protection
A medical ethics group will oversee the clinical study to ensure that you are being appropriately treated. If you are dissatisfied at any time, you are free to leave the study.