Why Participate?

Clinical trials offer hope for many people and an opportunity to help researchers find better treatments for others in the future. Participating in clinical research studies is crucial as, for example, it takes the help of over 5,000 study volunteers to compile enough data to get just a single new drug approved. Reasons people say why they participate include the ability to help others, to contribute to moving science forward, but also to possibly receive the newest treatment and to have the additional care and attention from the clinical trial staff. 

People participate in clinical research for various reasons, so we offer several ways to get involved. You don't have to be sick to be part of a clinical trial. Many researchers are looking for healthy participants.

Research often involves both healthy people and sick people. There are many kinds of clinical research. Some check safety of a new test therapy, some are planned to check the best dose of a new medication, and some compare a brand-new medicine to the current therapy, i.e. “the standard of care.” Clinical research studies are at the heart of all medical advances. They help generate the evidence needed to evaluate new treatments, determine best practices in medicine, and compare the effectiveness of therapeutic and diagnostic alternatives. 

If you are a current participant in a study at UB and have questions about your rights, concerns, or complaints, please email the research participant advocate at researchadvocate@buffalo.edu or call (716) 888-4845.