How to Volunteer for Clinical Trials

A clinical trial is a research study wherein volunteers receive investigational treatments under the supervision of a physician and other research professionals.
There are several different types of clinical research studies:

• Intervention studies (also known as clinical trials) test if there are more effective ways to treat a disease or condition than those that are already available. These studies may help in discovering new treatments or ways to provide care. They may involve testing new medications, procedures, devices, and/or surveys.
• Prevention studies test for ways of preventing people from acquiring a certain disease or illness.
• Diagnostic and screening studies seek better and more efficient ways to diagnose diseases.
• Behavioral research tries to determine how behaviors are related to several different diseases or conditions and how these behaviors can be changed.
• Quality of life studies try to look for better ways to improve the quality of life for people who suffer from a disease or condition.
• Observational studies follow clinical trial participants over time (weeks, months, or years) to see how their health changes.

Clinical trials are usually conducted in 3 phases (I, II, III). Only a few people participate in phase I trials, while the later phases involve more volunteers.

Volunteering for clinical studies is an important way to help advance science and develop treatments. Learn how to participate in clinical trials in Tampa.

About Volunteering

• Volunteers of all ages are needed
• Qualified volunteers receive compensation for time and travel
• Time commitments depend on the study
• Most research studies are done on an outpatient basis, which means no overnight stays are needed
• All studies are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• An institutional review board (IRB) reviews all studies to make sure patients' rights are protected
• Participants have the right to leave a clinical study at any time and for any reason

To find out if you are eligible for current or future studies, contact Santos Research Center, Corp. today!

How do clinical research trials work?

First, healthy volunteers must meet the eligibility criteria to qualify for the study.

Then, a consent form showing everything that the trial entails is signed. Healthy volunteers can discontinue participation in the trials at any time! Once enrolled in the trial, each volunteer will be assigned treatment throughout the trial. The treatment will be at no cost to the participants. In fact, volunteers at Santos Research Center get reimbursed for time and travel!

Finally, each volunteer will have their health tracked by a qualified group of medical professionals during the trial at zero cost. Experienced healthcare professionals are happy to welcome you at Santos Research Center, Corp.

Why are clinical research trials so important?

Without medical research study, medicine wouldn't have made the advances that we enjoy today.

For you and future patients, research is important. Volunteering for Florida clinical trials provides opportunities to contribute to society, the community, and those with health problems.

Who can take part in a clinical research trial study?

Every research study has requirements about who can participate. Using specific requirements is an important research principle that helps produce reliable results. These requirements are known as inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria explain what kinds of people may participate, while exclusion criteria explain what kinds of people may not participate.

These criteria are often based on factors such as age, gender, medical history, current health, and previous medical treatments. Some research studies look for participants with specific illnesses or conditions, while others need healthy volunteers.

What is informed consent?

Informed consent is the process of learning the important facts about clinical research studies before deciding whether to participate or not. The consent process continues to provide information throughout your time in the study.

To help you decide, the researchers and staff will meet with you to explain the details of the study. Feel free to ask any questions and tell them if you don't understand something.

Our study team provides an informed consent form that explains details about the clinical trial, including its purpose, its length, necessary procedures, and key contacts. Risks and potential benefits are also explained beforehand.

If you decide to participate, sign the informed consent document. You will be given your own copy of the informed consent document. Informed consent is not a contract; by signing it, you do not give up any of your rights, and you can quit participating at any time. If you decide to quit, you should tell the research team.

How can you prepare for the first meeting with the researchers?

• Bring in a friend or relative for support and to hear answers to your questions.
• Bring a pen and paper to take notes.
• Ask questions or stop the discussion if you do not understand what is being said.
• Make a list of questions to ask.

Questions to Ask the Clinical Research Team

• How long will the trial last?
• Where is the trial being conducted?
• What treatments will be used, and how are they used?
• What is the main objective of the trial?
• How will patient safety be tracked?
• Are there any risks involved?
• What are the potential benefits?
• What alternate treatments are there aside from the one being tested in the trial?
• Who is sponsoring the clinical trial?
• Do I have to pay for any phase of the trial?
• What happens if I'm harmed by the trial?
• Can I choose to stay on this treatment, even after the termination of the trial?

Benefits and Risks of Volunteering for a Research Study

Volunteers of clinical trials participate in the development of medicine that may offer better treatments for life-threatening and chronic diseases. However, there are known risks involved.

Benefits of volunteering in clinical research studies:

• Personal medical care from our experienced medical staff.
• Education on your condition and the available treatment options.
• A thorough physical examination, often including laboratory work, EKG, ultrasound, comprehensive screenings, and other tests, all at no cost.
• Fast test results whenever possible.
• All medications are provided at no cost during your participation in the study.
• Access to treatments and cures that are currently unavailable to the public.
• Open sharing of all laboratory work and test results with your primary care physician.
• Compensation for time and travel expenses.
• Your participation will help make new medication and treatment options available to others.
• Possible improvement or cures in the symptoms related to your medical condition.

Possible risks:

• Chances of unpleasant, serious, or even life-threatening side effects to any experimental treatment.
• The experimental treatment may not be effective.
• The protocol may need more time and attention than non-protocol treatment, including trips to the research center, more treatments, hospital stays, or complex dosage requirements.

Please note that volunteers of clinical trials may choose to withdraw from a study at any time for any reason.

Is the research study confidential?

The same ethical and legal codes applied to medical practice also apply to clinical research trials. Clinical research is regulated by the federal government; this protects all volunteers and their personal information. All personal and medical information remains confidential—only seen by those authorized to do so.

Can I quit participating once I get started?

You can quit participating in a research study at any time and for any reason. While your participation is very important to the study's researchers, it has to be right for you. It is your choice.

If you want to quit participating, let our researchers know. Sometimes, it is not safe to stop a study drug all at once. Your doctors will discuss with you how to safely discontinue your participation.

It is also important to know that the researcher can choose to discontinue your participation in a study. This decision is usually made when continuing your participation in the study is not in your best interest, if you didn't follow the guidelines of the study, or if the study was stopped. You will be informed why your participation was ended. You will also be given a chance to ask questions in order to help you understand.

Ongoing Clinical Research Studies in Tampa

We will answer your questions and keep you informed. We want you to successfully enroll in the most appropriate study based on your needs so you can have the best possible results.

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Covid-19
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• Migraine
• Traumatic Brain Injury

At Santos Research Center, Corp., we have completed over 400 clinical trials. We utilize efficient and reliable systems to plan and manage quality medical research studies.

For more information about our ongoing clinical research, you may visit us at www.santosresearch.com.

If you are interested in participating in our paid clinical trials, call us at (813) 249-9100.