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FAQ's for Volunteers

What is a Clinical Trial?
A clinical trial is a well-planned scientific study of how a medication, device, or treatment affects people. New medications and delivery systems (patches, inhalers, etc.) are being developed and tested on a continuum for treatment of illnesses and impact on quality of life. As new treatments are being developed, additional volunteers are needed for research. Recruitment programs have opened to the general public, and more people want to know what is available, what is currently being tested, and how they can participate in a trial.

The reasons people volunteer to participate in a clinical trial are numerous. Some may be suffering from a disease that currently offers no existing treatment. Perhaps the existing therapies have failed to help or are not adequate-a situation that may convince some individuals to supplement the treatments they are currently receiving.

Some people volunteer for clinical trials to obtain study-related medical care. Others get involved to help in the advancement of science and health care treatments. A clinical trial is research and not the same as treatment.

When considering volunteering for a clinical trial, it is important to ask your NSU clinical trial investigator and the NSU research staff any questions and address any concerns you may have. The risks and benefits associated with participating in the trial will be explained so that you-the volunteer-can make an informed choice.

The risks, benefits, and alternative treatments are explained and outlined in your consent form. Clinical trials go through several phases before they are conducted at NSU.

The trial's purpose is to determine how effective the new medications are and to examine any side effects or benefits they may present in the patients. It is important for you to understand the trial may or may not benefit you personally.

Your health and safety are of paramount importance in a clinical trial. The NSU clinical trial investigator and research team will observe you very closely. You will have scheduled periodic visits to monitor your progress while in the clinical trial.

You will be asked questions as to how you are feeling and will be prompted to alert your NSU medical professional concerning any physical or emotional fluctuations you may undergo while participating in the trial.

It is important that you inform the investigator and/or research staff of any symptoms you experience while in the clinical trial.

Once you have agreed to volunteer for a trial, a member of the NSU research staff will review your medical history. You also may be required to participate in a physical examination, as well as various laboratory tests and other diagnostic procedures.

A detailed description of the clinical trial and what is expected of you is outlined in your consent form. The consent form will list all procedures and visits conducted as part of the trial. A copy of the consent form will be given to you.

It is important that you take your medication as prescribed and that you keep all scheduled visits. It is recommended that you do not begin or discontinue any medications without notifying the clinical trial investigator or research staff.

Your participation is voluntary, and you have the right to leave the trial at any time without penalty.

A clinical trial is a planned scientific investigation conducted under the supervision of distinguished physicians, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, psychologist and scientists.

These investigators are selected by pharmaceutical and governmental agencies based on their qualifications to conduct clinical trials.

The investigators at NSU are practicing faculty members and are experts in the area being researched.

Research medication is also known as investigational medication. The clinical testing of an investigational drug is a well documented process to ensure your physical and emotional conditions are closely monitored.

All pharmaceutical clinical trials conducted at NSU are reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Nova Southeastern University Institutional Review Board.

The Nova Southeastern University Institutional Review Board protects the rights of all human research volunteers and assures that you-the volunteer-is not subjected to any unnecessary risks.

The Nova Southeastern University Institutional Review Board approves and monitors clinical trials and requires that volunteers are provided a consent form for review and signature before agreeing to participate in any study.

irb@nova.edu
(954) 262-5369 or toll free 866-499-0790

At NSU, we want to make sure that all volunteers are properly informed, so that our staff can better serve volunteers. Informed consent (IC) is the process by which participants can gain this information. This is a dynamic process that continues throughout the entire study. IC only works when the patients take an active role in reading and understanding the workings of the study. Having IC also helps to promote rational decisions. All IC should include

  • a statement that the study involves research
  • the nature of the decision/procedure
  • expected duration of the subject's participation
  • reasonable alternatives to the proposed intervention
  • the relevant risks, benefits, and uncertainties related to each alternative
  • an explanation of whom to contact for answers to pertinent questions about the research and research subjects' rights
  • an explanation whom to contact in the event of a research-related injury to the subject
  • a statement that participation is voluntary and refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which subjects are otherwise entitled.
  • subjects may stop participation in the study at anytime without penalty

Informed Consent is a very important and key step to the research process and the investigator and patient need to work together in order to be fully informed.

There are a number of other questions that you should always ask yourself before agreeing to be a part of a study;

  • What is the purpose of the study?
  • Who is in charge of the investigation?
  • Will treatment be provided if certain problems arise?
  • May I bring a friend or family member to help me in decision making?
  • How will the costs of the experiments be handled?
  • Who will be given access to my files and personal information?
  • How will the results of the study be given out to the participants, or even the public?

As the investigator has many responsibilities in the project, so does the volunteer. Research projects could not be a success if the volunteers did not take such an active role. Some of the responsibilities patients have are:

  • Being fully informed and asking questions necessary in order to work intimately with the project staff.
  • Providing the investigator with all accurate and complete information about complaints, past illness, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to their health.
  • Compliance with medical care, including medications, follow-up care recommended by health care providers, keeping appointments on time, and notifying the health facility when appointments cannot be kept.
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