clinical research studys allow researchers to evaluate groundbreaking medical advancements that revolutionize the treatment, prevention, screening, and diagnosis of various diseases. Whether you’re hoping to help the medical community develop promising new drugs or simply earn some extra income, participating in clinical research may be an excellent option for you. Before you get started, be sure to carefully weigh the risks involved with your doctor. In addition, ask about the timeline of the clinical research study to ensure that you’re able to dedicate the necessary amount of time. So, you might be wondering, how long do clinical research studys take?
How Long Do clinical research studys Take?
So how long do clinical research studys take? As you might have suspected, the length of a clinical research study varies. It depends on a few factors, including the treatment being studied and the phase of clinical research study. Generally, the length of the trial increases with each phase of research. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides an estimate for each clinical research study phase:
- Phase 1 trials, which examine the safety and dosage of a treatment, typically last several months.
- Phase 2 trials, which examine the efficacy and side effects of a treatment, typically last several months to two years.
- Phase 3 trials, which examine the efficacy of a treatment and monitor adverse reactions, typically last between one and four years.
Before you enroll in a study, the patient care coordinator will tell you how long the study will last. This is an essential component of the informed consent process. You will also receive information about the schedule of the trial, which may influence how you view the length of the trial. For example, one clinical research study may last several years but require minimal effort on your part, with visits to the clinic taking place once every few months. Another trial may last just six months but require you to visit the clinic weekly. Ask about the schedule to get a full picture of how your participation will impact your day-to-day life. Then, weigh the potential benefits of participating in the trial against the time and effort it requires.
Keep in mind that participation in a clinical research study is completely voluntary. You’re free to leave the study at any time and for any reason. Also, sometimes clinical research studys will end early if researchers aren’t seeing satisfactory results.
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Clinical research is lengthy, detailed, and expensive – but it’s set up that way to ensure that by the time drugs reach the public, they have been thoroughly evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
Are you interested in joining a clinical research study? QPS Missouri is looking for new participants. Since opening its doors in 1994, QPS Missouri has conducted over 1,000 FDA-regulated studies, paying out over $35 million to local participants. Your local participation could have a global impact, as QPS is an international leader in contract research with facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. Our mission is to accelerate the development of drugs worldwide by enabling breakthroughs in pharmaceutical innovation. If you would like to join us in this mission, consider applying for a clinical research study.
To get started, you simply need to fill out an online application. Within 48 business hours, a recruiting coordinator will contact you for your pre-screening assessment. To learn more, please visit the QPS Missouri website, review the study participation process, or check out our list of FAQ.