Clinical Trial Volunteers

Clinical trials are research studies that involve volunteers participating in the testing of new drugs or delivery methods to determine safety and effectiveness. Clinical trials are the safest and fastest way to find effective health care treatments.

These trials primarily require people with specific medical conditions (such as diabetes). However, some trials (for example, vaccine trials) require healthy individuals.

Clinical trial volunteers gain the satisfaction of helping to find new treatments, cures and preventions for disease. They may also have access to new treatments before they become widely available.

Register for PPD’s research study volunteer database (for volunteers with pre-existing conditions in the United States only).

Who Can Volunteer

Before joining a clinical trial, volunteers must qualify. All clinical trials have guidelines about who can participate. The guidelines are based on such factors as:

• Age
• Gender
• Type and stage of a disease
• Previous treatment history
• Other medical conditions

The guidelines are used to protect the safety of volunteers and help ensure that investigators will be able to answer the questions they plan to study.

What to Expect if You Volunteer

Clinical trials vary. In some clinical trials, there may be more tests and doctor visits than a patient would normally have for an illness or condition. These trials are usually handled on an out-patient basis.