Clinical trials are fundamental to medical progress, evaluating new treatments and therapies to enhance healthcare. However, misunderstandings and misconceptions can deter people from exploring the potential benefits of these trials.
In this post, we aim to demystify prevalent myths surrounding clinical trials, presenting clear and accurate information to empower you to make informed decisions about your healthcare journey.
What are some Common Misconceptions about Clinical Trials?
#1 – Only Final Treatment Option
Many believe clinical trials are a final treatment option. They are a crucial phase in developing new medical interventions designed to assess safety and effectiveness. Trials often welcome participants with existing treatment options, aiming to improve current approaches.
Imagine a clinical trial for a new diabetes medication. Participants already managing their diabetes effectively might join to contribute to medical progress and potentially discover an even more effective treatment. It’s not limited to the final treatment option.
#2 – Major Health Risk
Safety is a top priority in any clinical trial. Rigorous reviews and approvals follow the trials to ensure participant safety. Every potential risk and side effect is explained in detail during the informed consent process. There is no risk involved in the trials, as they are conducted after preliminary research on other subjects like the animals and even the in-vitro trials to assess the safety.
#3 – Time Consuming
Advancements like decentralized clinical trials and telemedicine have made participation more convenient. DCTs, for example, allow participants to contribute to research from their homes. There is no restriction on the time spent for the patients and participants. Even though the trials may last for a long time, the participants only have to contribute in the phases or have no obligation to spend all the time in the trials.
#4 – No Treatment in Placebo Phase
Placebos are used for comparison, but participants in placebo-controlled trials always receive the standard care. If the trial involves a new drug, one group receives the new drug, while the other receives the existing standard treatment. This doesn’t mean that the participants receive nothing, but they are given the current medicine and not the new drug, just for comparison.
In a placebo-controlled trial for a new pain medication, one group receives the potential new drug, while the other receives a placebo. However, all participants still receive the standard care for pain management.
#5 – No Exit Option
Participating in a clinical trial is voluntary. You retain the right to exit at any time, for any reason. Your healthcare decisions always remain collaborative between you and your medical team. If the participants think this trial is not suitable for them for one reason or another, they can inform the authorities and exit anytime they want. It’s one of the biggest myths that is preventing people from contributing to such trials.
Final Words
Due to these misconceptions or myths, people are not participating in clinical trials, which may help humanity with groundbreaking medicines or treatment options. In this post, we tried our best to debunk all these myths.
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