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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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Q: |
What are clinical trials? |
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A: |
Studies designed
to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or
new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials (also called
medical research or research studies) are used to
determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and
effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest
and safest way to find treatments that work. New therapies are
tested on people only after laboratory and animal studies show
promising results. |
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Q: |
How do clinical trials work? |
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Patients who are interested in participating in
a trial volunteer to join. They are interviewed and screened to
see if they are eligible for any studies. Sometimes this
screening process involves lab work such as a blood test. If
accepted into a trial, patients receive the study medication
free of charge as well as required lab work and a portion of
their office visit charge. Study participants must follow strict
guidelines and rules while in a trial, including keeping
regularly scheduled appointments. These appointments are
important so that the patients can be watched carefully for
side effects or any other problems that may occur. |
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Q: |
Who is eligible to participate in a trial? |
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A: |
Each trial has different and specific
requirements for eligibility. Only persons who are HIV positive
and whose medical history and test results meet these
requirements are eligible to participate in our trials. Most patients do not
meet the criteria for every trial. Those who don't qualify for
one trial are encouraged to ask about others since new trials
open periodically. |
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Q: |
How long do trials last? |
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A: |
Each trial is different, but they usually last
between six months and several years. The number of office visits
required also varies with each trial, but they are usually more
frequent in the beginning and become gradually less frequent.
Usually trials begin with one visit per week, then space out to
once every
three months
or
more as the study progresses. |
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Q: |
What is informed consent? |
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A: |
Before patients begin trials, they are asked to
sign an Informed Consent Form (ICF). The form explains exactly how the
trial will work and the patient's role in it. A physician or
research nurse will discuss the form with the patient and will
answer any questions the patient may have. It is important that
study participants understand what it means to be part of a
clinical trial. This entire process of counseling the
patient to make sure they know exactly what they're getting into
and signing the ICF is called the informed consent process. |
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Q: |
What if a study participant wants to drop out
of a trial? |
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A: |
A patient may leave a study at any time, and the
decision to withdraw will not affect the patient's medical care
in any way. |
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Q: |
What about confidentiality? |
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A: |
All information regarding a patient's
participation in a trial is confidential. Study participants are
assigned a number, and records are identified only by that
number. All trials are set up according to strict ethical
principles, and confidentiality is assured. |
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Q: |
How can I find out more information? |
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A: |
To learn more about HIV & AIDS clinical
trials, patients should consult their physician(s), see
resources on our LINKS page, or contact us here at the Richmond
AIDS Consortium using the CONTACT US link or by calling us at 1-877-698-0664. |
