Welcome to Chinese Medical Research
Getting Started With Clinicals Trials
As we start to recruit for each new trial, we review our volunteer panel for suitable candidates. Anybody who fits the criteria e.g. age, gender, weight, BMI etc. for a specific trial, is then sent information about the trial and asked to contact our recruitment team if they are interested in participating. Trials often fill up quickly so the sooner you can let us know of your interest the better. You can also keep checking our clinical trial list for one that suits you.
When you get in touch our recruitment team will ask you additional questions to make sure this is the right trial for you. If you are eligible and still interested, they will invite you in for a screening visit. Before you attend your screening visit, you will receive an email from our recruitment team with the Participant Information Sheet (PIS) attached. Please ensure you read it thoroughly before you come in for screening as it includes all relevant information available about taking part in the trial. If there is anything within the PIS you are unsure about or would like more information on, please ensure you ask one of our doctors at your screening visit or contact the recruitment team prior to attendance. You should receive the PIS at least one working day before you attend the screening, however, if you do not please contact the recruitment team at admin@chinesemedicalresearch.com
Your screening appointment
Before you take part on any trial with us, you will need to come into our unit for a screening appointment. Screening is simply a medical examination to check whether you are suitable for the clinical trial that you are interested in.
This will include:
Your information session
Typically, this is a group information session where a doctor or nurse will go through the trial in detail. This is so that you can make an informed choice on whether you want to take part.
Your consent
After the information session, if you want to go ahead you will have an individual, one-to-one appointment with a doctor or nurse to go through any questions. You will then be asked to sign a consent form, giving us permission to carry out a medical examination to make sure you are medically suitable for the trial.
Your medical examination
The medical examination is like a full health check. It covers things such as checking your height and weight, along with blood and urine tests to check for tobacco and drugs of abuse use. We will also perform an ECG (electrocardiogram) test to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity. We will ask you questions about your health and medical history. We will also confirm this by requesting full information from your personal doctor. This will ensure you are not included in a trial that is not suitable for you.
Our clinics offer a relaxed atmosphere in very pleasant surroundings and our friendly team do their best to make sure your stay is as enjoyable as possible.Here is what a typical trial may involve:
Arrival
We normally ask that you come in the day or the evening before you will be dosed with the trial test medicine. There are often some tests to confirm that you are still OK to take part.
Dosing
On the morning of dosing, it is often an early start, sometimes 6 am, or occasionally, earlier. There may be more tests, which often checks on blood pressure, heart rate and possibly blood and urine samples. We usually give you the trial medicine sometime between 6 am and 10 am.
Meals
Each trial may vary as to timings and frequency of meals. For example; breakfast maybe a couple of hours after we have given you the test medicine or sometimes you will get to eat first. All the details will be in the information sheet given to you for your individual trial.
During Your Stay With Us
The morning when you are given the test medicine is busy, there are lots of measurements to take. But you do not have to do anything more than relaxing on your bed, as we do all the work. The measurements tend to become less frequent as the day goes on. Often by the evening, you will be able to socialise in one of the lounges with other volunteers.
On days when you are not being given the test medicine, you will be able to make the most of a bit of quiet time. We will still need to take some blood samples and do other tests, but it is much less intense than on the dosing days.
Our highly-qualified team are on hand 24/7 to keep an eye on everything and answer any questions you might have, but you can sit back and relax, play some games, watch DVDs or play some pool and table tennis.
Your trial may involve follow up appointments or phone calls that will happen after you have completed your residential stay in the clinic and you will be aware of this before you take part in the trial.
Once all appointments are completed, most payments will be in your bank account via electronic transfer (BACS) within 21 days or via cheque.
The payment you will receive for taking part in a clinical trial can vary from trial to trial depending on its length, a number of overnight stays, procedures are undertaken and the number of return visits. Under strict guidelines, this is never calculated based on risk, only inconvenience.
We also pay you a travel allowance for each visit you make to us. The amount is fixed and is calculated based on the price of your ticket to our clinic.
Depending on your personal circumstances, part of this payment may be taxable if it exceeds the allowance threshold set by HMRC. Participants are reminded that they are responsible for their own tax affairs.