Clinical Trials: Why Volunteer?

What Is A Clinical Trial?

"Clinical trial" is the scientific term for a test or study of a drug or medical device in people. These tests are done to see if the product is safe and effective for people to use. Doctors and other health professionals run the tests according to strict rules set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA sets the rules to make sure that people who agree to be in the studies are treated as safely as possible. Clinical trials are an important step in the process of making a newly discovered treatment available to the general public.  Many of today's most effective treatments are the direct result of knowledge gained through clinical trials.

Why Volunteer?

By taking part in a clinical trial, you can try a new treatment that may or may not be better than those that already exist.  Clinical trials may also offer an experimental therapy that is not yet available to the general public but may be attractive to a patient who has exhausted standard medical care options.  A potential benefit of your participation will be the advancement of medical science to serve society as a whole.

What Questions Should I Ask?

Please visit our "Frequently Asked Questions" link by clicking here FAQ

For information about specific clinical trials,
please visit our "Clinical Trials by Specialty" link.