Why participate in Clinical Research?

Clinical research studies can be a great opportunity for people to receive medical services at no cost and to learn more about their medical condition. Volunteers in medical research studies, in most cases, are compensated for their time and travel commitments in the form of a stipend.

At ActivMed, we ensure volunteering is a positive experience for every participant. Our friendly staff understands and recognizes that all participants in medical studies are volunteers; therefore, we respect every participant’s time and commitment. In addition to compensation, volunteers often receive diagnostic testing and careful evaluation by a board-certified medical doctor. Lastly, many volunteers find that participation in medical studies can be a great learning experience that allows them to have a better understanding of their medical condition and potential treatment options.

Participation is always voluntary and participants can choose to withdraw from a study at any time. Every medical study has different requirements, procedures, risks, and benefits. See our list of enrolling study opportunities and call or apply today. Our friendly staff will gladly explain the details of study participation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What is a clinical research trial?

A clinical research trial is a necessary step required by the FDA when a pharmaceutical or medical device company has a possible new medication, device, or procedure. New medications, prescriptions, medical devices or over-the-counter (OTC), must be tested thoroughly before being approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). A clinical trial is designed to study the safety and effectiveness of a product, under the strict guidelines of the FDA.

Trials are conducted in four phases:

Phase I is conducted on a small number (tens) of volunteers to test the safety of a possible new treatment(s) in a small group and how the drug is absorbed, metabolized, and excreted in the human body. Data is reviewed to determine if a phase II trial should be created and moved forward.
Phase II (a few hundred) Is a dosing phase comparing different doses to find the best dose with the least side effects. Data is gathered and reviewed to determine if a phase III trial should be entered into.
Phase III (a few thousand) continues to study the effectiveness of the drug or device with active or placebo comparisons. After this phase, the data is collected and reviewed by the FDA, and a request seeking a hearing for approval upon review of data by the FDA.
Phase IV trials are conducted after the FDA has approved the medications for consumer sale. These studies focus on long-term effectiveness, or safety warnings added to the labeling, based on study findings on drugs or devices.

Each study follows a strict protocol that outlines who can participate, the dosage of medications or devices that will be studied, and how the effects will be measured. Each clinical trial is overseen by a Principal Investigator- a board-certified medical doctor trained in clinical research.

Why should I participate?

People choose to participate in clinical research for a variety of reasons. Some people choose to participate to have access to new treatments if their current treatments are not working. Some people choose to participate to help advance medical knowledge. Participants also benefit from receiving a great level of medical care from diagnostic testing, free medications, and one-on-one physician consultations. Volunteers are also compensated for their travel and time, in the form of a stipend.

All volunteers are evaluated as part of a screening process, to determine study eligibility. Protocols have strict criteria as to who can be included in a study. The screening process may include: diagnostic testing, blood draws, questionnaires, vital signs, physical exams, etc. Participants are always given all the information they need to make a decision regarding a study and can choose to withdraw at any time. This is done through an informed consent process.

What is informed consent?

Before consenting to participate in a study, the FDA requires the patient to sign the Informed Consent document, stating that they understand the risks, expectations, time commitments, and compensations for a trial. An Informed Consent form is a step-by-step walk-through of everything that will happen over the course of the clinical trial. This is a one-on-one conversation where you may ask questions, and have anything that you are uncomfortable with explained. Before signing an Informed Consent document, make sure you feel fully informed about the study, and are willing to accept all the requirements. A participant can withdraw from a study at any time, but may not be fully compensated.

This process isn’t the only time to ask questions. Please feel free to keep asking questions. We are here to help you!

How do I Know It’s Safe?

The Informed Consent process is the first step in protecting our participants. This process is to provide you with all the information you need to weigh the risks and benefits of participating in a study. Also, the FDA requires that all drugs, medical devices, or biological products be reviewed by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). An IRB is an individual ethics committee made up of doctors, researchers, and members of the community. The IRB’s approve the Informed Consent Documents and Protocols for all clinical trials, to ensure the study is ethical, and the rights and welfare of the patients are protected.

What about my personal information?

Your personal information is protected under HIPAA Privacy Rules, much in the same way as when you see your regular doctor. Researchers can obtain, create, and use your health information with your authorization, sharing it only with those involved in the clinical trial, and never disclosing enrollment in a study, or identifying participants in any reports of the research.

Enrolling Studies

Click to view enrolling studies at each location:

Beverly, MA

Lawrence, MA

Methuen, MA

Portsmouth, NH