GHUCCTS

Participate in Research

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Get Involved in Research

Learn more about how you can give back by participating in clinical trials.

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Know Your Rights

Understand what your rights are as a research participant, including what questions you should ask and what resources are available to you.

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Let's Talk About Clinical Research

Read our blog posts that cover many topics related to clinical research, including where to find a study, why diversity is so important, and how trials can help find treatments for diseases like COVID-19.

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Frequently Asked Questions:
  • What is a research participant?

    A research participant is someone who participates in a research study. Research involving human participants (often referred to as 'subjects') may take place in many places in and around the community. The majority of GHUCCTS-related research will take place in the Washington, DC metro area at participating universities and hospitals. If you are considering participating in a research study, remember that participation is completely voluntary you can choose not to participate, or, if you do decide to participate, you can choose to stop participating at any time.

    For more information, watch this video from the US Department of Health and Human Services that explains "What is Medical Research?".

  • What is informed consent?

    Informed consent is the process of learning the key facts about a clinical trial before deciding whether or not to participate. It is also a continuing process throughout the study to provide information for participants. To help someone decide whether or not to participate, the doctors and nurses involved in the trial explain the details of the study. If the participant's native language is not English, translation assistance can be provided. Then the research team provides an informed consent document that includes details about the study, such as its purpose, duration, required procedures, and key contacts. Risks and potential benefits are explained in the informed consent document. The participant then decides whether or not to sign the document. Informed consent is not a contract, and the participant may withdraw from the trial at any time.

  • What questions should I ask before I agree to participate in research?

    We provide a information for participants on what questions to ask and what our advocates can do for you.

    For more information, download the Participant Advocate Program brochure or watch this video from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

  • What are my rights and responsibilities?
  • What is a research subject advocate?

    Our research subject advocates help ensure the rights, safety, and well-being of participants in GHUCCTS-supported research studies. Research subject advocates enhance the standard protections available for participants in clinical research through advocacy for study participants, through independent oversight. They thus serve as a resource for investigators.

  • How is Medical Research Different from Medical Care?

    Watch the video from the US Department of Health and Human Services. This video explores the basic differences between medical research and medical care to help you make the right decision about whether to join a medical research study. 

Search for Trials

Want to join a GHUCCTS study? Use our search tool to find a trial at Georgetown University, Howard University, MedStar Health Research Institute, or the Washington DC VA Medical Center.

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