Why do people choose to enter a clinical trial?
Clinical trial participants reveal four core motivations for entering a trial. They:
- Want to feel that they are taking control of their medical condition and well-being
- Want to develop personal relationships with trial staff
- Want to be treated as human beings
- Want to know that their participation will make a difference
Why hasn’t my doctor told me about clinical trials?
Only 6% of physicians say they have referred patients to clinical trials. The primary reasons doctors don't refer patients into clinical trials are ‘lack of information’ and ‘not enough time to learn about them’. (Source: CenterWatch)
What are my obligations once I choose a clinical trial?
You can quit a clinical trial at any time for any reason, or no reason at all.
What do the “Phases” of clinical trials mean?
Phase I trials: Researchers test an experimental drug or treatment in a small group of people (20–80) for the first time. The purpose is to evaluate its safety and identify side effects.
Phase II trials: The experimental drug or treatment is administered to a larger group of people (100–300) to determine its effectiveness and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase III trials: The experimental drug or treatment is administered to large groups of people (1,000–3,000) to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it with standard or equivalent treatments, and collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase IV trials: After a drug is approved by the FDA and made available to the public, researchers track its safety, seeking more information about a drug or treatment’s risks, benefits, and optimal use.
Source: Center for Information and Study of Clinical Research Participation