Monthly Archives - April 2017

How To Decide If A Clinical Trial Is Right For You

Clinical trials open up new possibilities for treatment for a wide variety of patients with many different ailments, but how do you decide if a clinical trial is right for you? Here at Clinical Partners, we go through an extensive check list to make sure that the trial you are applying for is a good fit. As you head into your first appointment, here are a few questions you should consider before signing up for the trial: What is the goal of the trial, and how does it relate to my condition? First and foremost, we want to make sure that the trial you are interested in is a good fit for your condition and your individual situation. Many trials require participants be within a specific age range, and some even specify gender. We will review all of these What am I required to invest in terms of time and effort? As the participant, it's important that you understand what the trial involves and how it may effect you, both positively and negatively. We will go through all of the specifics of the particular trial you are interested in, but make sure you are aware of how often you will need to come in for visits and how long those visits are expected to last. What type of treatment will I receive? Each trial is testing a new medication. Some medications are administered orally, some via an injection, and some are topical medications. We will clarify which route of administration your trial uses, and how often it is given. How is progress measured in this trial? Each trial has its own way of measuring success and progress, or documenting any adverse reactions to the medication you receive. We will go through all possible side effects, all possible positive results, and how we measure each for your trial. We will go over these questions, plus many more, all in great detail and ensure you are as confident as we are that you are enrolling in the right trial for you. Of course, if at any time you have questions or concerns, you can contact us by phone or email.
Read more...