Clinical trials are the backbone of medical progress, bringing about meaningful advancements in health and introducing exciting new treatments for a range of conditions. However, the idea of joining these trials can be a bit overwhelming. That’s where this guide comes in! It’s here to break things down for you, giving you a clear picture of what it means to take part in a clinical trial and showing you how you can make a positive impact on the future of healthcare. Let’s demystify the process together!
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that explore new ways to improve health, prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. They are critical to understanding and treating mental illnesses. Clinical trials are the primary way researchers determine if a new treatment is safe and effective in people.
By testing new treatments and interventions in a carefully designed and controlled way, researchers learn more about the underlying mechanisms of disease and develop new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness.
Why Participate in Clinical Trials?
People volunteer for clinical trials for many reasons. Some people join clinical trials to help doctors and researchers learn more about a disease and improve health care. Other people, such as those with health conditions, join to try new or advanced treatments that aren’t widely available.
Participating in a clinical trial is entirely up to you. If you volunteer for a clinical trial and later decide it’s not right for you, you can withdraw anytime.
What to Expect During a Clinical Trial
During a clinical trial, you will see a team of researchers, sometimes called a study team, clinical trial team, or clinical research team, who will monitor your health closely. You may have more tests and medical exams than you would if you were getting mental health care but not participating in a clinical trial.
Clinical trials occur in medical centers, doctors’ offices, and community-based organizations nationwide. You may need to travel or stay in a hospital to participate in a clinical trial.
Safety in Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are generally safe. Though there are risks to participating in clinical research, clinical trials are designed to minimize risks and keep you safe. Before a clinical trial can start, it must be reviewed and approved by an institutional review board (IRB) for U.S.-based studies or an independent ethics committee outside the U.S. to ensure that it is safe and that the potential benefits of the trial are worth the potential risks.
Speak with the study team to understand the risks involved in a particular study. Potential risks are included in the informed consent process, and the research team will be able to explain anything you don’t understand.
Compensation for Participation
Some clinical trials pay participants, including some trials that take place at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. The amount of money you get paid depends on things like how long the trial takes, how much time you need to give, and what kind of trial it is.
Not all clinical trials are paid, and you should consider all aspects of the study, including risks and benefits, before making a final decision.
How to Join a Clinical Trial
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) supports clinical trials at the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD and across the United States. After you find a clinical trial you might want to join, contact the study team to learn more about it. You can usually find the study teams’ contact information in the trial’s description.
Let your health care provider know if you decide to join a clinical trial. They may want to talk to the study team to help coordinate your care and ensure the trial is safe for you.
Additional Resources
For more information about the risks and benefits of joining a clinical trial, how your safety is protected, and what happens when a clinical trial ends, check out this resource from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Remember, participating in a clinical trial is a personal decision. It’s important to gather as much information as possible, understand the process and potential risks, and discuss your options with your healthcare provider before making a decision.