Are Clinical Trials Safe? Let’s Learn More

Clinical trials are the key to developing new treatments and improving health care for people all over the world. But many wonder: are clinical trials safe? Thanks to many dedicated organizations like Univo IRB, this concern can be addressed.

Who is Univo IRB? What do they have to do with you? Let’s take a peek behind the clinical research curtain.

Are Clinical Trials Safe? Let’s Clear This Up

Not all clinical research involves testing new drugs. Some studies collect data or try out new devices, like bandages or sunscreen. Clinical trials that do test new drugs follow strict rules to minimize risks and keep patients safe.

New treatments go through thorough lab testing before they are given to people. And once they reach the clinical trial phase, patients who participate are protected by safeguards like rules and regulations, government oversight, and independent review boards (IRBs) like Univo IRB.

What’s an IRB?

IRBs are committees of people from various backgrounds who protect the rights and welfare of research participants by reviewing and monitoring clinical trials. They include people who can understand the science such as physicians, community ambassadors, patient advocates, and even patients themselves. Before a clinical trial starts, the IRB looks at the study to make sure it’s fair, safe, and follows the rules. They look at the risks, potential benefits, how private details are protected, and how people are asked to join. They also consider whether other safeguards may be needed for vulnerable patients, like children or people with disabilities that make understanding the study more difficult.

Unlike other IRBs, Univo IRB doesn’t just oversee studies. They seek to actively involve patients in the process, ensuring clinical trials consider the participants’ perspectives and needs. This way, studies are designed to include patient feedback, making them more effective and easier to participate in.

Univo IRB Is Working for You

Univo IRB is committed to making clinical research accessible and patient friendly. Here are just a few of the ways they are bridging the gap between patients and research:

Collaborating with experts: They partner with organizations like Savvy Cooperative to gather patient feedback on study designs so trials line up with participants’ needs
Engaging with communities: They help patients find forums, like Inspire, where patients can connect, share experiences, and access trusted resources on their conditions
Educating and supporting: Univo IRB offers resources and training to help patients make informed decisions about participating in clinical trials

Univo IRB + Oliver Patch Project

A great example of Univo IRB’s dedication to patient welfare is their partnership with the Oliver Patch Project, a nonprofit organization that empowers children battling cancer and other illnesses with inspiring and fun patches.

The Univo IRB and Oliver Patch Project collaboration is raising clinical trial awareness and supporting young patients with Univo IRB’s exclusive “Be Unique” unicorn patch — which has become one of the most popular designs! Univo IRB donates these patches to children fighting cancer, along with encouraging messages and information about Univo IRB to introduce families to clinical research.

The #1 Thing Univo IRB Wants You to Know About Research

Clinical trials can be for everyone! And they don’t have to be scary. Especially if you empower yourself with the knowledge you need to make educated decisions.

Here’s how:

Talk to experts: Consult health care professionals familiar with your condition
Connect with peers: Engage with patient advocacy groups or online forums to hear first-hand clinical trial experiences
Stay informed: Use resources provided by IRBs like Univo or the Clinical Trials For All Resource Library to get updates and educational materials tailored to your interests

Remember, research participation is always voluntary. As you start exploring trials, you will be given information that explains the risks and benefits of participating, as well as anything you need to do. You can withdraw from a study at any time if it doesn’t feel right for you.

Are Clinical Trials Safe?

With organizations like Univo IRB, clinical trials are conducted with the utmost care and respect for participants.

By staying informed and engaging with your community, you can confidently explore clinical trial opportunities. Remember, your participation contributes to medical advancements that can improve lives worldwide!

To learn more about clinical research and how you can get involved, check out our Clinical Trials 101 tool. And don’t forget to share this blog to spread awareness and help others understand the importance and safety of clinical trials.

Answering the Most-Searched Clinical Trial Participation Questions

April 21, 2025

When it comes to clinical trials, people have a lot of questions. And that’s a good thing! Asking questions means you care about your health and your options. We looked at some of the most-asked questions online about clinical trial participation. If you’ve been wondering the same things, you’re not alone, and we’re here to help. Read on for answers. What Does “Clinical Trials” Mean? Clinical trials test new ways to prevent, find, or treat health problems. They help doctors and scientists learn if something new is safe and works the way it should. This could be a medicine, treatment, device, or even a way of doing surgery. Some clinical trials test treatments for people who are already sick. Others look for ways to keep people healthy or catch diseases early. There are also studies that focus on improving the quality of life for people living with long-term illnesses. Every clinical trial follows a detailed plan (called a protocol) that explains exactly what the researchers will do, how they’ll do it, and who can take part. What Do Clinical Trials Do? Clinical trials help researchers test whether a new health care option works. To do this, trials often include two groups. One might get the new treatment, while another group gets the current typical treatment. If there is no current treatment, they may get a placebo, which looks the same as the new option but doesn’t have any real medicine in it. This allows researchers to see how people respond and what effects the new treatment has. The process may not always look the same, but the goal of clinical trials is always to answer these important questions: Does this new option work? Is it safe? And how does it compare to what we’re already using? Every answer helps move health care forward. What Do Clinical Trials Test For? Clinical trials test for many different things. It will depend on the goal of the study. Some test if a new medicine helps people feel better or recover faster. Others might check whether a vaccine keeps people from getting sick, and others may focus on side effects compared to current options. Just like what researchers test for is different in each trial, how they test it also varies. Testing might involve blood work, imaging (like X-rays or MRIs), surveys about how you feel, or other health checks. If you’re thinking about joining a trial, the team in charge will explain exactly what they’re looking for, what they’ll be measuring, and what you need to do. You can always ask questions if anything is unclear. What Do Clinical Trials Pay? You can sometimes get payment for clinical trial participation. However, this is not always the case. In one survey, the median for a paid trial was $3,060, with a range from around $150 to around $13,000. Some trials pay per visit, while others pay you at the end. Other trials may not offer money but instead help cover travel costs, meals, or child care. Your participation is important, and many people in the industry are working hard to make sure money isn’t a barrier. What Do Clinical Trials Consist Of? Every clinical trial follows a protocol, which lays out who can join, what will happen during the study, how long it will last, and what information researchers will collect. Depending on the trial, participants can do different things. This might mean taking medicine, using a device, going to visit a provider, or answering questions on your phone or computer. Some trials are short, while others may last months or even years. Some require you to visit a hospital or clinic, while others can be done from home. If you’re thinking about joining, the team in charge will walk you through the details. Their job is to make sure you know exactly what to expect, and you can ask questions and speak up if you aren’t sure. You have the right to fully understand how the trial fits into your life. What Are Barriers to Clinical Trial Participation? 41% of Americans know nothing about clinical research, and this means that many people don’t know they can take part in trials. They may believe common myths that keep them from learning more, like thinking their doctor has to bring up clinical research first. The industry is working hard to spread the word, and you can do your part by sharing what you know about clinical trials. Even when people know about research and want to participate, there are other barriers that can make this difficult. In-person visits may take too much time or be too far away. This is even tougher for people who don’t live in a big city or who have to balance trial participation with work or taking care of family. The good news is that researchers understand these challenges and are working to fix them. For example, many trials use local doctors or offer virtual check-ins to cut down on the need for long trips. If you want to be in a trial but need help, talk to the team in charge. They may be able to make it easier for you to participate. Have More Questions? It’s normal to have questions when you’re learning about clinical trials. The more you know, the more confident you can feel about your choices. Check out our Clinical Trials 101 resource for a simple guide to how clinical trials work, or visit our Resource Library to explore a wide range of topics. Whether you’re looking for trials near you, trying to understand the process, or just curious, we’re here to help you find answers. You can also ask your health care provider for more information or whether they think trials could be right for you.