This post was authored by Christina Hunt, BS, RRT, Director of Bronchiectasis and NTM Research and Education.

To be very honest, the topic of research and how to educate others on it gets very little attention when allied health professionals are training for their careers. In fact, in my short tenure here at the Foundation, I have learned more about research than in my 20 years of working at the bedside. There definitely are some misconceptions about research that I thought might need clarifying for our community. So, let’s talk about it!

Myth #1:
I will not see the benefit of participating in a clinical trial for years to come.

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Truth:
In the short run, you may or may not. It is true that clinical trials will take quite a while to result in approved treatments, and you may not personally see a benefit during the trial itself. On the other hand, you may benefit from participating in clinical trials by getting access to treatment to which you would normally not have access. And in the long run, successful clinical trials are the only way to see new treatments approved for the disease or condition you may be living with. Clinical trials need to have heavy involvement from the patient community in order to prove that medications and/or other forms of treatment are effective.

Myth #2:
I need to live close to a research facility to participate in a clinical trial.

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Truth:
Not all clinical trials need participants to live nearby. Some facilities or research sites will allow participants to take part virtually and have any necessary testing done at their local health care facilities. When a clinical trial is conducted, each trial will have guidelines for participation. Before participating, all details required by the participant will be reviewed and agreed upon. This way you can make an informed decision on whether participating will be right and convenient for you.

Myth #3:
Participating in a clinical trial will negatively affect my health.

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Truth:
The goal of clinical trials is to advance research to improve the health of those with specific conditions. Yes, there are potential risks. There are also potential benefits to participating in a trial. In fact, a critical part of the trial is ensuring that you fully understand these potential risks and benefits before agreeing to participate. Careful attention is given to all participants involved in each clinical trial. (Imagine a “VIP treatment.”) Participants are the clinical trials’ VIPs, and every effort is made to make sure they feel their best and are tolerating any changes to their treatment plan. Participants are closely monitored and have easy access to a health care provider if they have any questions or concerns. As with any treatment (approved or investigated), no guarantee will be made that you will feel better or won’t have a negative individual experience. It is the hope of every researcher that these efforts will improve the care provided to each participant.

Myth #4:
The only way I can learn about ongoing clinical trials is from my health care provider (HCP).

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Truth:
Your health care provider can be a wealth of information for you regarding available clinical trials. However, you can find information regarding ongoing clinical trials on our website as well as ClinicalTrials.gov. If you discover a clinical trial that you may be eligible for, discuss the opportunity with your health care provider. They will be able to give you feedback on whether you would be a good candidate for participation based on your health history.

As you can see, there are a lot of myths about participating in clinical research. However, participating in a clinical trial can be a very exciting and rewarding experience. Have you ever been a part of a clinical trial? What was your experience like? Feel free to comment below!