|
Frequently
Asked Questions About Volunteering in Research
|
|
What is clinical research?
|
Clinical research is the study of health and illness
in people. It
is the way we learn how to prevent and treat illness.
|
|
Why is clinical research done?
|
Clinical research is done to find out:
·
What new drugs, devices and other treatments work
and don’t work
·
What causes disease
·
What prevents disease and improves health.
|
|
How is clinical research different from regular medical
care?
|
When you receive medical care from your own doctor,
s/he develops a plan of care just for you.
When you take part in a clinical research study, you
and the study doctor must follow a set plan called
the “study protocol.”
The study doctor usually can’t adjust the plan for
you – but the plan includes steps to follow if you
aren’t doing well.
|
|
How do I know if I can take part in a research study?
|
Each study has requirements that describe who can
take part. For instance, you may need to have a certain
health problem or symptom, or be of a certain sex
or age.
|
|
How do I decide whether to take part in a research
study?
|
If you are interested and seem to fit the study requirements,
the study team will explain the study to you. They
will give you a consent form to read.
Then they will go over the consent form with
you. They will describe what happens during
the study, the possible side effects, and other information
you need to know about the study.
The
study team will give you time to ask questions. You should ask as many questions as you want.
You
usually don’t need to decide right away. You can take the consent form home, read it over, and think
about it. You
can also talk to friends, family, and your own doctor
about the study.
The
decision whether to take part is yours.
You can decide not to take part in the study.
Your decision will not affect the care you
receive at BWH or MGH.
|
|
What happens if I decide to take part in the research
study?
|
You will be asked to sign the consent form. Your signature
means that you volunteer to take part and understand
what will happen.
You
will then be asked to do what is required for the
study.
Remember,
you can ask questions or change your mind at any time.
|
|
What happens if I don’t want to continue to take part
in the research study?
|
You can change your mind and stop at any time.
Your decision will not affect the care you
receive at BWH or MGH.
|
|
How are my rights and welfare protected while I am
in a research study?
|
The Human Research Committee approves and watches
over all clinical research studies at BWH and MGH. The Committee follows state and federal
laws and codes of ethics to make sure that the rights
and welfare of people taking part in research studies
are protected.
|
|
What kind of research is going on at BWH and MGH?
|
Research
studies at BWH and MGH may involve:
·
Taking experimental drugs
·
Taking drugs for new reasons
·
Testing medical devices
·
Having blood drawn
·
Filling out questionnaires
·
Having your body measured and tested
·
Gathering information on your mental health or quality
of life
·
Finding the genetic causes of diseases that are passed
on from generation to generation
|
