How to find a research study
Medical research isn’t often on someone’s mind. Many never learn about it until they or a loved one are diagnosed with a condition like diabetes or cancer and start looking for opportunities to participate.
This article will describe what medical research is and how to find information about studies.
What is a medical research study?
Medical research studies are used to improve healthcare(1). They could be as simple as answering questions about daily habits or could involve visiting a local hospital for activities such as bloodwork and observation. Depending on the purpose of the study, the results are studied to determine the safety and effectiveness of medical treatments, learn more about a disease or condition, or improve future practices.
When a person takes part in a research study, they help doctors and researchers learn more about disease and improve health care for people in the future.
Oftentimes, researchers are looking for people with and without certain health conditions. Including both groups in a study helps them compare how people with a specific disease differ medically from those that don’t have it (a control group).
Where to find information about research studies
In the past, finding research opportunities may have been limited to what was available at local universities or hospitals. Today, there are more resources to help. Here are just a few:
· ResearchMatch.org(2) is an online registry that helps connect people interested in participating in research with researchers looking for people to take part in their studies. Anyone living in the U.S., including Puerto Rico, can join. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. ResearchMatch is a community of volunteers, researchers, and community collaborators working together to make it easier for everyone to find the right clinical trial or research study.
· ClinicalTrials.gov(3) is a website and online database created by the National Institutes of Health U.S. National Library of Medicine of Clinical Research Studies. There are over 400,000 research studies that take place across the U.S. and other countries. Users answer a few questions about age, ethnicity, and health status and search for specific conditions to find a list of studies.
· Trials Today(4) is an online database with thousands of searchable clinical trials across the U.S. It’s a user-friendly tool that searches the actively recruiting studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
· Research registries(5) are platforms where people with similar interests or conditions can join to receive information, support, and learn about possible research opportunities. Some are condition-specific, so users will only receive information, studies, and resources related to that health condition. Others are condition-neutral, meaning one may receive information and studies about a wide range of topics and conditions.
· Hospitals, academic medical centers, and local research organizations also have information about trials and research studies. People with specific medical conditions like asthma, heart disease, or arthritis may be approached by their health care provider to take part in a research study, or they may see flyers or brochures in local clinics advertising them.
Participation is vital to research success
Research participation is important to the progress of healthcare. It allows researchers to find new information about diseases and health conditions and develop new medicines and treatments.
There are thousands of clinical trials being done, which means there is one out there for everyone, both people with known health conditions and those without. Your participation makes a difference by helping improve healthcare for everyone! Visit ResearchMatch.org(2) to learn more about becoming a volunteer and receive messages about study opportunities.
To learn more about taking part in research studies, be sure to read our other pieces on inclusion criteria(6), informed consent(7) and more.
References:
1. National Institutes of Health. NIH Clinical Trials and You: The Basics. https://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you/basics
2. ResearchMatch. Researchmatch.org. Accessed October 5, 2023. https://www.researchmatch.org/
3. ClinicalTrials.gov. National Library of Medicine. Accessed October 5, 2023. https://clinicaltrials.gov/
4. Trials Today. Trials Today at ResearchMatch.org. Accessed October 5, 2023. https://trialstoday.org/
5. Workman TA. Engaging Patients in Information Sharing and Data Collection: The Role of Patient-Powered Registries and Research Networks. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); September 2013.
6. Byrne L. Want to Join a Research Study? Learn How Inclusion Criteria Guide Who Can Participate in Clinical Trials. ResearchMatch.org. 8 Dec. 2020. Accessed October 5, 2023. https://medium.com/researchmatch/want-to-join-a-research-study-b601425db8a2
7. Schorr M. What Is Informed Consent? ResearchMatch.org. 25 Mar. 2022. Accessed October 5, 2023. https://medium.com/researchmatch/what-is-informed-consent-1a8bc9933c83
