Myth Busters
My doctor will tell me about research studies.
Your doctor may not know about all available clinical trials. The National Institutes of Health has an online database that allows you to search for clinical trials: www.clinicaltrials.gov. Let your doctor or patient advocacy organization know your interest in participating in a research study.
Clinical studies are only for really sick patients with no other treatment options.
Clinical trials involve volunteers who are healthy, as well as those with various diseases and conditions. Researchers can offer you information on alternative treatment options that exist.
Clinical trials are dangerous.
There are numerous safeguards in place to protect the rights, safety, and wellbeing of all volunteers who participate in research studies. NERI acknowledges that there are both potential risks and benefits in all research, which vary from study to study. If you are considering participating in a research study, you will be informed of all the potential benefits and risks.
If I agree to participate in a research study, I can’t change my mind.
Study participation is completely voluntary. Research participants have the right to withdraw from a study at any time, for any reason, with no penalty or negative impact. The clinicians conducting the research study may also decide to withdraw patient participation if they feel this is in the best interest of the patient.
If I participate in a clinical trial, I might get a “sugar pill” or placebo instead of the real drug.
A placebo is a product that looks exactly like the investigational medication, but does contain the active ingredient of the medication. A placebo will not cause harm or good. The decision for a placebo to be used in a research study is based on several factors. If you have a serious or life threatening disease, the best available treatment, or the “standard of care” will be used instead of a placebo.
Participating in a research study will cost me money and is not covered by medical insurance.
Research studies typically do not have costs associated with their participation. Due to ethical and practical considerations, each trial has its own policy regarding participant compensation. Some trials may reimburse you for expenses related to your participation, such as time and travel. Costs associated with conducting a research study are covered by the sponsor (or pharmaceutical company). Patients will be responsible for routine healthcare costs, including insurance copayments for doctor visits, hospital stays, laboratory tests, x-rays and other procedures that you would have done regardless if you were in a research study.
