Participating in Clinical Research Studies
The Clinical Trials Office at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center knows that you have questions about the research study process, and we have provided answers to some common questions below. If you have any additional questions about clinical studies, please contact the Clinical Trials Office,513-636-0098.
Why should my child participate in a clinical trial?
Everyone benefits from proving whether a treatment is effective or not, what doses are needed and what negative side effects can happen when a new drug is given.
Children and adults participate in clinical research studies for a variety of reasons, including:
- Opportunity to learn more about their own conditions and meet others with similar conditions
- Personal attention and individualized care in the area being studied
- Access to FDA-approved medications (not yet available to the general public, but available only through a clinical study) when all other treatment options have been exhausted
- Knowledge and satisfaction that participation in the research process may lead to advancements that could benefit others
Who can participate in a clinical study?
Before you may enroll in a trial, you must qualify for the study. Participants must meet study guidelines based on factors such as age, type of disease, medical history and current medical condition. Children of all ages from infancy to 18 years old may participate in our studies. Occasionally, we have studies requiring volunteers older than 18. Some research studies seek volunteers with certain illnesses or conditions to be studies in the clinical trial, while others need healthy volunteers. The factors that allow you to participate in a clinical trial are called "inclusion criteria" and the factors that keep you from participating are called "exclusion criteria." Neither criterion is meant to reject participants. Rather the criteria are used to identify appropriate subjects and keep them safe while answering questions the researchers plan to study.
Will there be pay for our participation?
Some clinical trials will compensate subjects/parents/guardians for time and inconvenience of participation in a trial. Other trials have no compensation. There is no charge to participate in a clinical research study.
Your coordinator will make payments clear to you during the informed consent process. Expenses such as transportation costs, childcare, meals and accommodations may also be reimbursed. However, both Cincinnati Children's and you must be sure you are not being lured by this compensation into doing something you shouldn't do.
What are the study areas of the clinical trials?
Cincinnati Children's provides a partial list of pediatric investigator specialties. For more information, you can also call 513-636-0098.
What are the current clinical research studies?
Cincinnati Children's provides a partial list of current studies. For more information, you can also call (513) 636-0098.
Conclusion
Participation in clinical trials is voluntary. You must understand what is being asked of you. You may refuse (without penalty) to enroll or withdraw at any time during the trial.
Participation in a clinical trial is a choice, which must be made carefully. If your child would like to volunteer, the decision to participate must be made by you, the parent(s) or guardian(s) and the child. You should agree only if you feel that the benefits of being in the study are greater than any risks.
