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Why Should I Volunteer?

 
 



 Why Should I Volunteer for Clinical Research Trials?
 Why Volunteer?
 What Is a Clinical Research Study?
 How Are Studies Approved for Volunteer Participation?
 How Are Study Volunteers Protected?
 What Is the Informed Consent Process?
 Is Volunteering for You?
 What Are the Benefits of Volunteering to Be in a Research Study?
 What Are the Risks of Participating in a Research Study?
 Why Don’t More People Volunteer?
 How Can You Find Out About Research Studies at UK?

Read More About Volunteering for Clinical Trials

Take the WebMD Quiz on Clinical Trials

Information about Clinical Trials at UK and the approval process

More information about participating in Clinical Trials

Why Should I Volunteer for Clinical Research Trials?

Why Volunteer?

Each year, millions of people volunteer to participate in clinical research studies. Without volunteers, there would be no new therapies for diseases and disorders. 

As part of the University of Kentucky’s mission to improve medical care and treatment, UK faculty and staff actively participate in numerous clinical research trials for a broad range of medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, breast cancer, cervical cancer, dental disorders, diabetes, heart failure, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, surgery, and more. Learn more about clinical research and how you can make a difference in tomorrow’s health care by being a volunteer. 

What Is a Clinical Research Study?

A clinical research study is a project carefully designed to test a medical treatment in people, under the supervision of a qualified investigator, usually a physician. The medical treatment could be a procedure, drug or device. Studies are done to see if a product is safe and effective for people to use. Doctors and other health professionals run these studies according to strict rules set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

How Are Studies Approved for Volunteer Participation?

Prior to testing on people, medications must go through years of laboratory testing. Before it is approved for use in volunteers, the FDA reviews the laboratory data and study proposal to determine if the drug or device should be tested in people.  

How Are Study Volunteers Protected?

The safety of study volunteers is the most important factor when conducting clinical research. The two main safeguards are the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Informed Consent Process. The IRB is a committee consisting of health care professionals, scientists, and non-medical people from the local community who review all studies to ensure that the participants’ safety is protected and their personal rights are respected, and they are informed fully about the research study. 

To help you decide if you want to be in a study, FDA requires that you be given complete information about the study before you agree to take part. This is known as informed consent. 

What Is the Informed Consent Process?

It is your right to be fully informed about what is involved in a research study. This is a dynamic process that continues throughout the study; it includes explanations of procedures and information about the product being studied, its risks and benefits, so that you may make an informed decision about volunteering. 

An informed consent form has specific, detailed information about the study in non-medical language. Signing the consent form means that you have been informed about the study and you volunteer to participate. Signing does not indicate that you have signed away any of your rights. You are always free to stop participating in some portion or all of the study at any time.  It is also your right to ask questions and be informed throughout the study.  

If you have questions about your rights as a UK research study volunteer, you may call the University of Kentucky Office of Research Integrity at (859) 257-9428 or toll free at 1-866-400-9428.

Is Volunteering for You?

Few people are even aware that they may be eligible to volunteer for a research study. Research studies enroll healthy volunteers as well as patients with medical conditions.

To determine if you qualify for a study, you may need to answer some questions regarding your medical history and all medications you take. There may also be a screening phase of the study to further determine your eligibility.

What Are the Benefits of Volunteering to Be in a Research Study?

There are many reasons people volunteer for clinical studies.  For some people, studies are a means to access new potential treatments for their particular disease or condition. Study- related medical care such as physical exams, lab tests, counseling, and study medication often is provided at no cost to the participant. Also, many study volunteers appreciate the close medical attention they receive as part of the study.  Research volunteers sometimes are compensated for their time in taking part in a study. People also may get involved in a study because they want to help in the advancement of medical knowledge and have the satisfaction of helping others.

What Are the Risks of Participating in a Research Study?

Safety is a priority in a research study. Each study may have known risks or possible side effects. There also may be unknown risks from a research medication or procedure. It is important to consider carefully the risks and ask questions when making a decision about taking part in a study.

Why Don’t More People Volunteer?

While millions of people volunteer annually in clinical research studies, it represents less than 10 percent of the more than 60 million people who have severe, life-threatening and chronic illness in the United States. 

Surveys in both the United States and Europe show that people recognize the importance of clinical research in the advancement of medical science. However, the majority of survey respondents were unaware about the clinical research process and the system in place to protect volunteers (IRB and informed consent).

How Can You Find Out About Research Studies at UK?

If you are considering volunteering for a study at the University of Kentucky, you can find information about research study opportunities by viewing the For Clinical Trial Volunteers Web site or call (859)-257-7856.  Advertisements for study volunteers are posted frequently in the local newspapers, radio, and television. 

Information about Clinical Research at UK and the approval process:  

More information about participating in Clinical Trials

  Comments to Roxane Poskin, Last Modified: January 18, 2011
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