Clinical trial resources for patients

If you’re considering joining a clinical trial, there are probably many questions running through your mind, from wondering about how medical research works to what your experience at a clinical trial site might look like. Below, we take a look at the facts related to the most frequently asked questions people have about medical research, and offer helpful resources for further information. We've also crafted a mastering the basics of clinical trials guide for patients. Download it to explore and understand the key aspects of clinical trials.

How does medical research work?

So, how does medical research actually work? In the webinar below, we break down some of the key definitions surrounding research, such as "protocol," "principal investigator (PI)," and "institutional review board (IRB)," and explain how it all comes together in the clinical trials process. If you find yourself with more questions, check out our "Clinical trials 101" page for more information and also familiarize yourself with common and confusing terms used in the doctor’s office.

Clinical trial myth busting

"I think clinical research is great, just not for me." We hear this sentiment sometimes, so in our webinar below, we bust some of the myths surrounding clinical trials and research studies. We also deconstruct common misconceptions about clinical trial participation. And on the Delivering on Diversity series podcast, our Head of Partnerships, Lindsey Wahlstrom-Edwards, and Allison Kalloo, Founder of Clinical Ambassador and the i-Participate initiative, explore what really happened during the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, the lasting implications of the study, and what we can do to continue to move forward.

How to find and evaluate clinical trials

How do you find clinical trials near you? And how do you narrow down all the options? All clinical trials are listed on the government website ClinicalTrials.gov, but the directory can be difficult to navigate for patients because it was designed with researchers, not patients, in mind. That's why we developed Antidote Match, our smart clinical trial matching tool. In the webinar below, we explain how to find clinical trials that suit you, the anatomy of a clinical trial listing or study page, and how to evaluate which trial might be right for you.

Questions to ask yourself and researchers about clinical trials

Volunteering for research is an extremely personal decision, and it's not one to be taken lightly. In the webinar below, we discuss the questions to ask yourself and researchers about studies, from time required to compensation. Also, be sure to check out our blog posts, "Volunteering for research studies: 15 questions to ask" and "Do patients have to pay for clinical trials?" for more common questions to ask before volunteering for research.   

What to expect at a clinical trial screening

Clinical trials include a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, which are traits used by researchers that help researchers decide who would be a good fit for a specific clinical trial. This helps companies and sites screen for trials. In this webinar, we look at what you should expect at a clinical trial screening.

My clinical trial participation experience

We hear from many patients that the best way to better understand what to expect from a clinical trial is to speak to patients who've taken part. In the below webinar, Lindsey Wahlstrom-Edwards and Patrick Gee discuss the trials they've been involved with. 

Emily Schaller, founder and CEO of the Rock CF Foundation, also spoke with Antidote about her experience participating in several clinical trials for cystic fibrosis, a progressive lung condition that she has lived with since she was 18 months old.

In the below video, Nina tells us about her experience with small-cell lung cancer and clinical trials:

And here, Shanelle shares her lupus story with us, emphasizing why she participates in clinical trials.

Treatments and breakthroughs in science and medicine are made possible because of research volunteers. With the resources above, you should be well-equipped to start your clinical trials journey, but if you have any additional questions or thoughts, please reach out to us via the form below.