Research Volunteers Change the Future of Medicine…One Discovery at a Time

The health of millions has been improved because of those who have volunteered their time to take part in scientific research studies.

Research touches everyone.

All current medication and treatment were at one time part of clinical testing with study volunteers. What is now considered medical knowledge of appropriate doses, novel approaches to improving health, and new treatments for conditions only happened because everyday people enrolled in studies. Recent surveys show that very few Americans (less than 5%) know where to find information about relevant research studies.

We hope that this website will make it easier for anyone who wants to participate as a volunteer in medical research.

Study volunteers make a profound gift to science. Volunteers play a collaborative role with researchers in improving public health. It is very likely that each of us has been helped by the results of a research study whether or not we were directly involved in it.

What Volunteers Should Know:

• There are many types of studies looking for many types of volunteers, including healthy volunteers.
• Some studies are observational in nature and are looking for a large number of participants who represent the general population who may or may not be affected by a specific condition or disease. These studies will not ask participants to test any new treatments.
• Some studies are treatment studies, which may have volunteers test new treatments, combinations of drugs, or new approaches to surgery or therapy.
• Some studies are diagnostic studies which are conducted to find a better way to diagnose a specific condition.
• Some studies are screening studies which test the best way to detect certain diseases or health conditions.
• You can Find a Study that matches your desired level of participation using ClinicalTrials.gov.

Remember that healthy volunteers are just as important to clinical research as those with certain medical conditions, so don't hesitate to get involved!

For additional assistance, please contact the CCTS Research Concierge.