Whether you are a starving student looking to make some cash or keen to contribute to the development of pharmaceutical and medical knowledge, signing up to participate in clinical trials of anything from drugs to treatments and procedures may seem like a straightforward, lucrative option to pursue. Sometimes that will be the case, but it is sensible to be aware of the pitfalls too.
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There’s a Reason You May be Paid Well –
Risk!
Although participants in trials are closely monitored, the very nature of the
situation is about testing and observing the effects of something on the human body. If
you are not prepared for side effects, or in extreme cases, loss of life, then
think again. In this case it may be worth thinking about contacting a
Cheltenham wills and probate company at sites like https://beesandco.co.uk/our-services/wills-cheltenham/ to get
everything put in place just in case the worse does happen. Who will make your
decisions for you and who will know what to do with your possessions. These
are important documents that you need to ensure are in place regardless of
whether you are taking part in clinical trials or not, as none of us know when
we might need to use them.
The Pay Rate Can Vary a Lot
Drug trials usually have several stages of trial. The first is usually the
riskiest, as a substance tested on animals is administered to people, and
consequently usually pays more. Pay decreases as stages progress – late stages
often don’t pay anything beyond expenses.
Entry Requirements Vary
Many clinical trials recruit healthy (non-smoking/heavy drinking/long term
sickness) adults, although some specialist trials target those with a specific
unhealthy habit or a particular illness. It is not worth lying about your
health or habits – if only for your own safety!
Some trials involve a short or long term residential stay, and others mean
regularly travelling long distances for monitoring tests. You may be expected
to give blood or have other tests, to eat or skip food, and so on.
Choose the Right Company
If you are keen there is no shortage of work available, but for your own peace
of mind do a little research on the contract research organization responsible
for designing the trial. Choose an established company with high ethical standards
and well qualified staff.
Aftercare is Important
Good companies provide high level access to medical services for those who
need them following a clinical trial. This may be more important after phase
one trials, but is reassuring for all participants, and ideally extends beyond
the supervised trial period.
Clinical trials are invaluable to the progress of medical science and often
equally beneficial to those who participate, especially when fully informed of
what the trial involves beforehand.