Deciding to take part in clinical research is a big decision for anyone battling a serious disease like Cancer or Alzheimer's. While there is substantial risk there are also many benefits, the hopeful being that it will eradicate the disease for the individual.
Still the choice is completely up to the patient, they should not be swayed by medical professionals, family or friends. A careful examination of options is best and will put the mind at ease a bit.While trials can be unpleasant and involve ports, tubes, needles and even surgery there are many reasons that people choose to go through clinical research trials. Perhaps there is no other option, or treatments already attempted didn't help.
Others choose to partake in order to advance science for future generations. They want to do what they can to help, even if it means they don't survive.
Pros to Participation
There are many great reasons to take part in clinical research. Some reasons to participate in trials include:
• The possibility of getting access to new treatments that isn't available yet as well as the hope that one may be the first to see success.
• The fact that even if you don't get the actual new treatment, you'll receive free treatment that has already been approved.
• The good feeling knowing that one has helped those suffering the same condition by advancing the disease's treatments in some way, shape or form.
• Extra attention to one's condition and access to a group of nurses and doctors that is very knowledgeable about the disease. This is great for having questions and concerns answered.
• Feeling as though everything possible is being done to conquer the disease.
Cons to Participation
Of course, on the other hand there are many reasons one may wish to forego their chance at participating in clinical research. Among them are:
• Taking the chance that the new treatment may not be better than standard care, and may have side effects that are worse.
• Not having control over which part of the trial one is involved in. There are different treatments used, and not having control over which one is used may be unacceptable to some.
• New treatments may require more availability than the patient is willing to give. Therefore, scheduling conflicts or basically a desire to still do some living may change one's mind about participation.
• Incompatible health care plans could be an issue, although most times clinical research studies are free for participants.
What Happens When Participation is Accepted
Once one has chosen to participate in clinical research, they may have to undergo physical assessments to determine if they are a good candidate. The information obtained will be kept secure, and as soon as possible the potential participant will be notified if they are accepted.
At a first visit, the participant will be given the trial, and instructed on its use. There may also be labs drawn or other tests performed in accordance with the study. In addition, a schedule will be set up for visits allowing the involved person the ability to plan ahead.
First visits will be frequent, even as often as every two weeks. So if the location is distant that could also be a deciding factor. It's important to know that participation is strictly voluntary so if at any time they wish to withdraw, they can. As the clinical research progresses, visits will become fewer and far between. So, that is something to consider as well.
Every study will be different, so length will vary. The good news is that the participant will always have access to medical professionals throughout for questions and concerns. Many advances in medicine have been made through clinical research. Hopefully in 2015 and beyond the amount of adult participants will increase.
FOMAT Medical Research is one of the world's premier medical research companies. It specializes in developing and managing clinical trials in South America as well as providing them with technology to assist their sites with their trials. FOMAT currently has its headquarters in the United States with regional sites in Ecuador and shortly in Peru and Argentina with English-speaking management teams, investigators and clinical coordinators working at all of their locations. The company's international sites count more than 10 million patients many of which have not participated in clinical trials before. For more information on FOMAT Medical Research and the services it provides to the medical community, visit them on the web at http://fomatmedical.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nicholas_Focil/2072915
Still the choice is completely up to the patient, they should not be swayed by medical professionals, family or friends. A careful examination of options is best and will put the mind at ease a bit.While trials can be unpleasant and involve ports, tubes, needles and even surgery there are many reasons that people choose to go through clinical research trials. Perhaps there is no other option, or treatments already attempted didn't help.
Others choose to partake in order to advance science for future generations. They want to do what they can to help, even if it means they don't survive.
Pros to Participation
There are many great reasons to take part in clinical research. Some reasons to participate in trials include:
• The possibility of getting access to new treatments that isn't available yet as well as the hope that one may be the first to see success.
• The fact that even if you don't get the actual new treatment, you'll receive free treatment that has already been approved.
• The good feeling knowing that one has helped those suffering the same condition by advancing the disease's treatments in some way, shape or form.
• Extra attention to one's condition and access to a group of nurses and doctors that is very knowledgeable about the disease. This is great for having questions and concerns answered.
• Feeling as though everything possible is being done to conquer the disease.
Cons to Participation
Of course, on the other hand there are many reasons one may wish to forego their chance at participating in clinical research. Among them are:
• Taking the chance that the new treatment may not be better than standard care, and may have side effects that are worse.
• Not having control over which part of the trial one is involved in. There are different treatments used, and not having control over which one is used may be unacceptable to some.
• New treatments may require more availability than the patient is willing to give. Therefore, scheduling conflicts or basically a desire to still do some living may change one's mind about participation.
• Incompatible health care plans could be an issue, although most times clinical research studies are free for participants.
What Happens When Participation is Accepted
Once one has chosen to participate in clinical research, they may have to undergo physical assessments to determine if they are a good candidate. The information obtained will be kept secure, and as soon as possible the potential participant will be notified if they are accepted.
At a first visit, the participant will be given the trial, and instructed on its use. There may also be labs drawn or other tests performed in accordance with the study. In addition, a schedule will be set up for visits allowing the involved person the ability to plan ahead.
First visits will be frequent, even as often as every two weeks. So if the location is distant that could also be a deciding factor. It's important to know that participation is strictly voluntary so if at any time they wish to withdraw, they can. As the clinical research progresses, visits will become fewer and far between. So, that is something to consider as well.
Every study will be different, so length will vary. The good news is that the participant will always have access to medical professionals throughout for questions and concerns. Many advances in medicine have been made through clinical research. Hopefully in 2015 and beyond the amount of adult participants will increase.
FOMAT Medical Research is one of the world's premier medical research companies. It specializes in developing and managing clinical trials in South America as well as providing them with technology to assist their sites with their trials. FOMAT currently has its headquarters in the United States with regional sites in Ecuador and shortly in Peru and Argentina with English-speaking management teams, investigators and clinical coordinators working at all of their locations. The company's international sites count more than 10 million patients many of which have not participated in clinical trials before. For more information on FOMAT Medical Research and the services it provides to the medical community, visit them on the web at http://fomatmedical.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nicholas_Focil/2072915
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