Clinical research trials are an important part of the advancement in medicine for both the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. These trials serve to discover whether or not a particular treatment or preventative is safe and effective. All new drugs and medical devices must go through the process of clinical trials before being approved, produced, and marketed for the general public; thus, it is ultimately our volunteers whom help us understand, prevent, and treat communicable diseases. A common misconception about clinical research trials is that only people who are sick or have a disease may participate in them. Clinical trials, however, need people from all types of backgrounds for studies, including those who are healthy and those who have an illness or disease. Healthy people may choose to participate because they know someone who is affected by a particular illness or disease, or they may participate for philanthropic reasons. Participants who are sick or have a disease may also want to help others; however, being in a clinical research trial provides them with a chance to receive a new treatment as well as additional medical care and attention specifically for their ailment.
No matter the reason for joining a clinical research trial, just remember: With your help, we can bring an end to many infectious diseases throughout the world! Be the change...