Myths vs. Reality

Myth: Clinical trials already have all the participants they need.

Reality: Researchers have reported a massive shortage of participants. More than 80 percent of clinical trials are delayed or fail because doctors cannot find enough patients to take part. This is where you come in!

Myth: Taking part in a clinical trial is scary and unpleasant.

Reality: Knowing what to expect before signing up can help ease any stress you might have about the study. Before joining a clinical trial, make sure to ask questions and get a sense of what will be required of you. If certain medical tests, make you uncomfortable, ask in advance if those or other procedures will be part of the clinical trial. Many clinical trial participants report a positive experience. In a 2017 study from CISCRP, 91% of clinical trial participants surveyed said they would “definitely” or “probably” recommend clinical trials to their friends or family members. Talking to someone who has participated in a study can also help you learn what to expect.

Myth: A clinical trial might help people in the future but won’t do anything for me right now.

Reality: Clinical trials may provide an opportunity to access new medical advances. In some cases, participants are able to continue the therapy after the end of the trial if it’s found to be effective. Participants also receive free, quality care at top facilities throughout the trial. And many participants appreciate being able to help move research forward.

Myth: Once I sign up for a clinical trial, I can't get out of it if I decide I no longer want to participate.

Reality: Clinical trial participants can leave a trial for any reason, at any time. Before joining a clinical trial, you’ll be asked to sign an informed consent form, which outlines the details of the trial. It’s not a contract, though—even after you sign it, you can leave the trial at any time.

Myth: Taking part in a clinical trial is too disruptive to my life.

Reality: When you’re considering participating in a clinical trial, it is important to think about how much time you are willing to spend and to get a sense of how many site visits will be required, how long the trial will run, etc. Some trials may require just a few site visits without any overnight stays, while others may be more time-consuming. Some trials even allow you to provide information remotely through an electronic device, for example, or offer transportation to and from the study site so the trial will fit better in your schedule.

Myth: Clinical trials are a last resort.

Reality: Clinical trials can offer an option for those who have exhausted other therapies, but they can also be an option at any point after your diagnosis. Any time you’re not happy with your current treatment, a clinical trial may be a way to access a therapy that may work better or to receive more personalized medical care. Some people also choose to participate because they’re motivated to help move research forward.

Myth: If I'm in the placebo group of a clinical trial, I won't get medical treatment.

Reality: Many clinical trials do not use placebos; some compare a potential new therapy against an already approved therapy. Participants who do receive a placebo still receive personalized, quality care from top doctors as part of the study.

References: 

* https://www.jdrf.org/impact/research/clinical-trials/