Volunteers
Be one of the Volunteers in the next Clinical Trial
Discover your rights, obligations, and privileges, as well as the process's basic parameters.
Who can become a Volunteer?
Who can participate in a clinical trial?
Candidates come from any age group and belong in two categories: a. healthy volunteers and b. patients. In every clinical trial, the researchers determine the inclusion criteria that participants will be expected to meet. In addition, there are exclusion criteria, which prevent a person from participating in the trial.
Why should a person become a Volunteer?
Volunteers play a critical role in the research process. People suffering from a specific disease, as well as those who are healthy, can both contribute to medical progress.
«"Clinical studies would simply not be possible without volunteers."»
People volunteer for clinical trials for many reasons.
They may feel:
- The desire to improve healthcare for future generations
- Associated with a certain illness or condition, either personally or through friends or family
- Personal interest for science evolution
What is a consent document?
To enrol for a clinical trial you must sign the informed consent document. By signing this document, you confirm that you have been fully informed of all the details of the trial and that you freely consent to participate. It is stressed that notwithstanding the signing of this document, you may withdraw from the study at any time.
Risks & Benefits
All medical research exposes participants to some level of risk. Depending on the study, the risks and benefits differ. To assist you in making an informed decision, the study team must advise you of all known risks, benefits, and available healthcare alternatives.
Rights - Obligations
The cost of each clinical trial is covered by the state, pharmaceutical companies or non-profit organisations. Participating volunteers have rights described in the consent document, but also certain obligations. Both derive from the European Regulation 536/2014 on clinical trials.
Rights
Briefly, the rights are:
- To be treated with respect and honesty
- Know the purpose of the study
- Know the name and contact details of the person in charge of the trial
- When being briefed by the research staff you should be able to ask as many questions as you wish and decide whether to participate in the study without feeling under any pressure
- Be able to get additional information at any stage of the trial
- Withdraw from the trial at any time without any consequence
- Know who will have access to your personal data
Oblibations
All participants have the following responsibilities:
- To provide accurate contact information
- To provide accurate personal and family medical history information
- Follow the instructions given to you by the research staff
- Accuracy in keeping scheduled meetings
- Immediately inform the research staff of any adverse reactions you experienced during the trial
Benefits
G.H. PAPAGEORGIOU offers a free check-up to all healthy volunteers, including the preventive examinations that they must perform annually, depending on their age, under the guidance and supervision of a physician-physician.
