Be alert to subtle forms of coercion. Clinical trials constitute a big business; universities and pharmaceutical and other companies pay doctors to recruit patients and have volunteer quotas to meet.
Don't volunteer for the person you work for, and resist social or peer pressures.
ClinicalConnection.com offers free email updates about trials in your area, along with a message board for swapping information.
Emotional or financial stress can override good judgment. "If you are willing to lie or deceive the investigator to get into the study, you may not be able to make a sound decision, whatever your motivation," notes Bartholomae. Ask yourself if you would do it for nothing.
