Should you volunteer for a clinical study?

THREE MINUTES. LEARN MORE; LAUGH A LITTLE; FIND INSPIRATION.

Happy National Autism Awareness Month

Should you volunteer for a clinical study?

What are they? “Clinical studies evaluate the safety and effectiveness of investigational treatments, devices and vaccines to help prevent and treat disease,” explained Kasie Ingram of Coastal Carolina Research Center. The Food and Drug Administration uses the resulting data to evaluate the treatment, device or vaccine for safety and effectiveness.

What does it look like today? More than 400,000 individual trials are being conducted around the world, each requiring a significant number of volunteers. Research companies offer monetary payments to participants who meet requirements of the study.

Only in it for the money? Participants like Nancy Schaefer find fulfillment by taking an active role in contributing to the advance of science and helping others. Schaefer also has found community in the doctors, nurses and staff at Coastal Carolina Research Center. Some participants may also experience personal health benefits during the study.

How to start. The Coastal Carolina Research Center is always looking for new volunteers. ClinicalTrials.gov makes worldwide volunteer opportunities available.

Clinical studies by the numbers:

Currently, 412,452 research studies are being conducted throughout all 50 states and in 220 countries;

It takes approximately 10 to 15 years for a new drug to advance from its initial discovery to the market.*

More than 8,000 new medicines were in the development stage in 2020;

There are an array of options available to people who find it difficult to read small screens, including magnifying tools such as task lamps or glasses and phone applications like virtual assistants Siri and Google.

What’s your favorite thing to see in spring?(pick one)
A) Colorful flowers
B) Everything being green
C) Afternoon rain clouds
D) People enjoying the outdoors

Previous poll results:
Have you tried cannabis products before? (pick one)
50% said yes and I continue to use them;
37.5% said yes, but I don’t use them often;
12.5% said no, but I would like to;
0% said no and I never will.

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