Who Can Participate

Participation in a Clinical Trial

• Why do people participate in clinical trials?

  Clinical research studies benefit society in different ways.

  Some reasons why people may choose to participate in a clinical trial include:

  • Clinical trials help generate new scientific knowledge about the cause, treatment, and prevention of diseases.
  • Clinical trial participants may improve their own health during a clinical trial and have access to new therapies before they are available to the public.

• Who can participate in a clinical trial?

  Clinical research studies enroll people who meet specific eligibility criteria. Each clinical trial has a particular study population.

  The following groups may participate in clinical research:

  • Adults
  • Children
  • Older adults and geriatric populations
  • Healthy individuals
  • Individuals with illnesses

• Can I participate in a clinical trial?

  Your eligibility may be determined by various factors, depending on the nature of the study. The factors determining whether you can participate in a particular clinical trial are called “eligibility criteria.”

• What are eligibility criteria?

  Eligibility criteria are a set of requirements that participants must fulfill to qualify for a particular clinical trial. The researchers determine these requirements based on the specific research they want to carry out. Eligibility criteria include both inclusion and exclusion criteria.

  Eligibility criteria often refer to the following characteristics:

  • Type of health condition
  • Severity of the health condition
  • Coexisting conditions
  • Past or current treatments
  • Diagnostic procedures
  • Medical history
  • Pregnancy
  • Demographic information
  • Other relevant considerations

• What happens if I meet eligibility criteria?

  If you meet the eligibility criteria at screening and sign an informed consent, you will be officially enrolled as a participant in the clinical trial.

  Here are some important considerations:

  • You will receive an “Informed Consent Form” containing a detailed written description of the study, any risks involved, and your rights as a participant.
  • If the screening process involves any type of intervention, such as obtaining a blood sample or documenting personal health information, you will have to provide your informed consent before the screening.
  • Even if you have agreed to participate in a clinical trial by signing the consent form, you can still withdraw from the study at any time without penalty if you have second thoughts or feel uncomfortable during the study