- 1). Locate medical trials. The National Institute of Health (NIH) maintains a registry of federal and privately sponsored medical trials within the United States and abroad. Visit ClinicalTrials.gov website, and click "Search for Clinical Trials." Enter a word or phrase that includes a medical condition, treatment, city and/or state. For example, if you type "high blood pressure AND Little Rock" a list of high blood pressure-related medical studies taking place in Little Rock appears. Click the link to hide studies that are not recruiting. Identify the medical trial that is of interest to you.
- 2). Meet the medical trial guidelines. Every medical trial has guidelines regarding who can participate. The guidelines are referred to as the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Review the criteria listed on the medical trial page you selected. Make sure you are eligible to participate in the trial.
- 3). Ask questions about the medical trial. Read all the information about the trial you selected. Jot down any questions or concerns you have. Speak with the contact person listed under the "Contacts and Locations" section. Make sure the contact person listed is a research team member. Ask the team member questions about the risks, benefits and side effects of the study, the types of treatments and tests that are involved and any other questions you have. If you speak with a research team member in person bring a friend or family member with you for support. Take a tape recorder as well. Record the conversation for future reference. Learn as much about the medical trial as possible before signing up as a volunteer.
- 4). Consult your doctor. Tell your primary care physician that you are considering volunteering for a medical trial. Share with your doctor the information you gathered from speaking with the research team member. With your doctor's input determine whether the medical trial is suitable for you.
- 5). Arrange an appointment. Before you are accepted into the medical trial you will undergo a medical screening that may include a drug test, blood and urine samples, height and weight measurements and an electrocardiogram.
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