How to Register for Clinical Trials

If you suffer from a medical condition for which no effective medication exists, you may wish to participate in a clinical trial. Drug companies and other medical researchers generally need volunteers to test the safety and effectiveness of new treatments. Whatever your reasons for wanting to participate in a clinical trial, chances are good that your participation will help researchers evaluate the medication and develop a treatment protocol.

Instructions

• 1

  Decide whether you want to participate in a treatment, prevention, diagnostic, screening or quality of life trial.

• 2

  Ask your physician to refer you to a clinical trial for your medical condition. Look for advertisements in your local newspaper if you live in an area that's home to medical research facilities. Or check the National Institutes of Health's website ClinicalTrials.gov to search for a trial.

• 3

  Check eligibility information for the study to determine if you meet all requirements in the inclusion criteria and none in the exclusion criteria.

• 4

  Contact the study coordinator by phone or email to make an appointment to be screened for the study, which generally involves answering questions regarding your health and medications.