Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Why Research Studies Are Important

Research studies are critical in the progress and advancement of diseases and disorders and finding their cures and best treatment methods. 

Research studies are an important step in discovering new treatments for diseases as well as new ways to detect, diagnose and reduce the risk of the disease. 

Clinical trials show researchers what does and does not work in people participating in the research. These studies also help doctors and researchers to decide if the side effects associated with the new method of treatment are acceptable when compared against the benefits that the new treatment offers. 

Researchers don’t know what the results of their studies will be, if they did, they wouldn’t have to go through all the trouble to conduct the study. This uncertainty can cause many potential participants to take pause before consenting to participate in a trial. 

The number of cases in which clinical trials have adversely effected patients is small as such occurrences are extremely rare. In fact, there are hundreds of thousands of people who have been helped and are alive and well because others chose to participate in a trial that resulted in new and more effective treatments for their disease or condition. 

While the importance of clinical trials cannot be understated, it is important to understand that the decision to participate in a study is very personal and depends on each person’s unique situation. 

Some research studies are conducted on participants with a certain disease, such as breast cancer. While other studies require that the participant be of good health. 

As with any medical treatment, it is important that anyone considering participation consult with their doctor beforehand to discuss the potential benefits and risks associated so that you can make the best, most informed decision for you. 

Over the years, research studies have helped the medical field with everything from developing vaccines that have eliminated childhood diseases to finding drugs that safely reduce cancer symptoms. Without willing participants, researchers would not be able to unveil their discoveries and make them available to the public. 

There is a lot of work and research that goes into new treatments and medicines before they are even eligible to make it to the clinical trial stage. In fact, it is estimated that about 1,000 potential medicines are tested extensively before one of them makes it to the research study phase. 

On average, new medicines and treatments are tested for between 5-8 years before a clinical trial is conducted to test them on humans. This knowledge should help potential participants rest easy knowing that they are not being human Guinea pigs for a fly by night treatment, they are testing a treatment that has been extensively researched and thoroughly tested for years. 

The advancement of the medical field relies on successful research studies to continue its advancement. Scientists have made major breakthroughs over the past few decades and with today’s technology, we are on course to find cures to our biggest, deadliest diseases. 



source https://miamiclinicalresearch.com/blog/why-research-studies-are-important/

Research Studies for Kids Gain Mainstream Approval

Research studies for kids has long been a controversial topic, however, it is starting to gain mainstream approval thanks to the many benefits that are being highlighted. 

When it comes to research studies for children specific diseases and aliments, many parents want to know if participating in the study will help THEIR child. 

It is important to understand that research studies are conducted to gain information about a disease, condition, treatment, or drug that is hoped to help benefit children in the future. This is different from regular medical treatment that is given to help a specific child who is dealing with illness. 

That being said, while most studies are not done to help a specific child, there are immense benefits to conducting the study and the participants can definitely reap some of them. 

Making the Future Brighter for New Generations 

One of the biggest benefits to research studies for kids that is helping them gain mainstream approval is the fact that the research done will help future families in similar situations. 

Thanks to the parents of the past whose children dealt with awful diseases such as polio or measles and they made the decision to allow their child to be in studies to test vaccines, we no longer need to worry about these diseases in today’s generation. 

There are many procedures, treatments and medicines being created today to help combat childhood disease, but they will not be accepted for use until they are proven to be safe and effective. The only way to properly do this is to conduct research studies on the group they are intended to help, children. 

Access to New Drugs and Treatments 

Researchers are constantly testing new drugs and treatments because they have reason to believe that they may be superior to the current standard of care. By participating in a study, children have access to something that is not available to others yet but may be very beneficial. 

Children who participate in research studies may be among the first to benefit from the new drug or treatment. Additionally, enrolling children in a clinical study means that they are seeing extra doctors and specialists in the field which can help shed more light on the child’s present condition. 

Constant Monitoring 

If a child is dealing with an unfortunate illness or disease, enrolling them in a research study means that they will likely receive closer monitoring and additional testing that they may not receive under standard care. 

Children participating in clinical studies are watched closely for side effects and to monitor how the treatment is working. Every research study for kids is subjected to stringent regulations. 

With technology and medicine improving daily, it is vital that research studies be conducted to help get these new medicines and treatments on the market to help children of the future. 

Treatments and medicines that are engineered to treat childhood disease must be tested on children in order to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. 

Fortunately, research studies for kids are gaining mainstream approval and being conducted more regularly which will help continue the fight to eliminate childhood diseases. 



source https://miamiclinicalresearch.com/blog/research-studies-for-kids-gain-mainstream-approval/

Participate in Clinical Research Studies in South Florida

If you are looking to participate in a research study near you either to contribute to the advancement of science, make some extra money, or both, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to find and participate in studies being conducted in your area.  

Research studies are being conducted every single day, all across America with the hopes of getting new medicines, treatments and procedures approved for use. As a participant in a research study, you have the unique ability to help improve the lives of others while making some extra cash.

This article will help you to figure out how to participate in a research study near you. 

Where to Find Research Studies 

Research studies of all kinds are being conducted daily all around the country. Every study is different as are its requirements. 

Some studies are looking for participants who suffer from a certain disease or aliment, while others are looking for healthy individuals with little to no health history. 

If you are someone who suffers from a specific disease or condition, you may feel motivated to find research studies specifically pertaining to finding answers to your disease. 

People who suffer from terminal illnesses to which there is no known cure yet, such as cancer, often willingly sign up for research studies that can potentially help their symptoms and lead to a cure for their disease.

If you are interested in participating in a research study but don’t have any medical conditions, don’t despair, there are plenty of researchers out there looking to trial their treatment on healthy individuals. The key is to find a research study that works well for you and the researchers conducting the study. 

One of the first places to begin your search for a study to participate in is to ask your doctor or other local medical professionals. Doctors are usually a great resource for finding studies that you qualify for because they are in the know and usually up to date on local studies. 

Consulting with your doctor is particularly helpful because it is always recommended that you see your doctor before consenting to participate in any kind of clinical trial to ensure you are healthy and fit for the role. 

Another resource for finding reputable studies is clinicaltrials.gov. This is a searchable database that can help you to find a study that fits with your conditions, lifestyle and needs. 

This site will provide you with information regarding the purpose of the trial, who can participate, locations, contact phone numbers and more. 

There are also many other websites designated to helping connect participants with studies near them but be wary of scams. Research studies require you to fill out a lot of paperwork and provide detailed personal information, be sure you are only giving your information to a reputable and honest source. 

Once you know where to look, it is easy to find research studies near you to participate in that will help fatten your wallet as well as provide crucial, evidence based information to researchers. 



source https://miamiclinicalresearch.com/blog/participate-in-clinical-research-studies-in-south-florida/

Doctors Find Incentives Referring Patients to Studies

Research studies are happening across the country each and every day and thanks to the continued focus of scientists and researchers in the medical field to find cures and better treatment methods, this trend will only continue to climb upwards. 

So, what happens when a clinical trial is slated, but there are not enough participants to fill it? Among some of the options that researchers have to find more participants is to offer incentives to doctors who are willing to refer patients to the study. 

Giving doctors incentives for referring patients to studies has been a long standing argument in the clinical trial field, with some being for it and other being against it. 

For the sake of this article, we will discuss how doctors can make incentives by referring patient to studies without taking one side of the coin or the other. 

Why Seek Study Referrals from Physicians? 

First, it is important to understand why researchers want to seek referrals for their studies from doctors. It is well known that patients look up to their doctors as a trusted source for accurate and valuable medical information. 

Thanks to this special relationship between doctor and patient, doctors are in the unique position to recommend their patients to a clinical trial that they feel would benefit them. In fact, there is research that shows that most patients would rather hear about clinical trials from their physician rather than any other method of recruitment. 

For many studies, they offer the referring physician and incentive for sending qualified patients there way so that they can best conduct their study. 

When it comes to compensating doctors for their referrals, there are a couple of different scenarios:

Referral Fee: A referral fee is compensation paid to the doctor who identified the patient as a potentially good match for the trial and who provides information to the patient about the trial. If the patient is interested, the doctor then forwards the name of the patient to the study or gives the patient the contact information. 

Compensation is then usually paid to the doctor regardless of whether or not the patient actually enrolls in the trial. This incentive is considered reimbursement for the effort done by the physician to pre-screen and connect the patient to the study. 

Finder’s Fee: The other scenario involves what is called a finder’s fee.  In this situation, the referring physician is paid for bringing the patient to the investigator of the clinical trial. Compensation is paid by the trial’s investigator for the doctor’s matchmaking service in exchange for the name and contact information of the patient. 

While both situations offer incentives to doctors for their efforts in helping fill research studies with qualified candidates, the referral fee is indicative of the extra work that the physician puts in to ensure that the patient is a good match for the study and a willing participant. 

The finder’s fee is more or less an incentive given for handing over a name with little to no research and work on the doctor’s end. 



source https://miamiclinicalresearch.com/blog/doctors-incentives-research-studies/

Find Research Studies That Pay Near You

Scientific progress depends in great part on the willingness of people to volunteer their bodies and time to research studies. The good news its that by participating in studies you are not only helping improve science and medicine, you can get paid for it too. 

Getting paid through research studies is easy if you know what to look for. Individuals who suffer from a certain disease or condition may be eager to jump into research related to that specific condition, however, there are lots of studies that need to be conducted with healthy volunteers as well. 

Most anyone can participate in a research study and make some extra money, but keep in mind that you must match with the study before you can be accepted. 

Getting Started with Research Studies 

There are several different ways to get paid through research studies, but it may require that you do some research first. 

The first way to get paid through research studies is to sign up for medical tests and trials. If you don’t mind being poked and prodded, this may be a great gig for you to earn some extra cash. 

Being a human guinea pig can not only net you some money, it helps bring about changes and advances in the medical community that can truly help others. 

If you choose to participate in medical research studies, be prepared to fill out lots of paperwork pertaining to your medical history. You should also be prepared to have a physical and potentially some other testing done to determine if you are a fit for the study. 

Some research studies require that you have a certain illness or aliment in order to participate, while others are looking for otherwise healthy individuals. You are best advised to do your research first and find studies that you qualify for. 

Getting paid through research studies is easy and the compensation will vary based on what kind of research you are participating in. You can expect to make anywhere from $25 for testing next year’s flu vaccine to $5,000 or more for testing or treatment that requires overnight stays and consistent follow up. 

Interested in something less invasive? No worries, there are plenty of research study options that don’t require you to lend your body to science. 

Psychological studies, for example, can net you $10 to $60 per hour of participation. Psychological studies are typically geared towards looking for insights into human thought and behavior such as memory, decision making, learning and perception. 

Many market researchers are looking for insight into consumer behaviors. Making money through psychological studies is generally quite easy and the pay is very lucrative. 

If you are looking to get paid through participation in research studies, there are many options out there and you can end up making a decent chunk of change for doing little actual work. 

You participation in research studies, no matter what kind, helps researchers all across the country test and trial new medical treatments and technologies and predict human behaviors-all while making you some easy extra money!



source https://miamiclinicalresearch.com/blog/find-research-studies-that-pay-near-you/

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Research Studies Underway for Kids with Low Iron

Low iron is a fairly common childhood condition that can affect children of all ages. Researchers are working to gain more insight into what causes low iron in kids, how to prevent it and how to treat it. 

As we look to understand more about this condition, research studies are underway for kids with low iron. 

Why is Iron Important for Children? 

Iron is an essential nutrient for everyone, kids and adults alike, but it is especiallly essential in your child’s growth and development. Iron is needed to move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body as well as helps muscles use and store oxygen. 

If you child is lacking iron in their diet, he or she may develop a condition called iron deficiency. This condition can present at many levels ranging from depleted iron stores to anemia. 

Anemia is a condition in which the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. In these cases, iron deficiency can affect a child’s growth and development if left untreated. 

What Are the Risk Factors? 

There are a range of risk factors for low iron, some of which are still unknown hence the research studies seeking a deeper understanding of why kids develop low iron. 

Some of the known risk factors include: 

-Babies who are born 3 or more weeks before their due date or have extremely low birth weight

-Babies who are given cow’s milk before their first birthday

-Babies who are breastfed and not given supplemented foods after they are 6 months old

-Babies who drink formula that is not fortified with additional iron

-Children who drink more than 24 ounces of cow’s milk each day

-Children who have been exposed to lead

-Children with chronic health conditions

While a lot is known about the common risk factors that put children in danger of low iron, there is still much to be discovered. One of the aims of the research studies for kids with low iron is to determine what additional risk factors exist, if any. 

What Are the Symptoms of Iron Deficiency? 

Iron deficiency symptoms can manifest differently in different children. Too little iron can affect your child’s ability to function.

However, most low iron symptoms don’t appear until iron deficiency anemia sets in. Signs and symptoms include: 

-Tiredness 

-Pale skin or complexion

-Decreased appetite

-Rapid breathing and heartbeat

-Behavioral changes

-Slow growth and development

-Frequent infections 

In rare cases of extreme anemia, children can develop unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances such as dirt, ice or paint. This condition is known as pica and is extremely rare. 

It is important to understand the low iron in children can be prevented. In order to keep your child’s growth and development on track, it is vital that you offer iron rich foods to your child every day. 

Your child’s pediatrician should test your child periodically for low iron and hemoglobin in their blood. With research studies underway for kids with low iron, we should soon learn more about the condition and how to treat and prevent it. 



source https://miamiclinicalresearch.com/blog/research-studies-underway-for-kids-with-low-iron/

How to tell if your child suffers from low iron

Children and adults alike need iron in order to stay strong and healthy.

Iron helps red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body. It also plays a vital role in both brain and muscle function. Low iron, or a lack of iron, in the blood can lead to iron-deficiency anemia which is a common nutritional condition in young children. 

Do you suspect that you child may have an iron deficiency? This article details what iron deficiency is and how to tell if your child suffers from low iron. 

What is Low Iron? 

All the red blood cells in the body contain iron in their hemoglobin, the protein that carries our oxygen to our body’s tissues from the lungs. 

Iron is what gives hemoglobin its strength to bind to oxygen in the blood, ensuring the oxygen gets to where it needs to go. 

Children who have low iron or are iron deficient aren’t getting enough iron in their diets. What this means is that the body cannot make hemoglobin, causing it to make fewer red blood cells.

This causes the condition known as anemia. When a child suffers from anemia, less oxygen can reach the cells and tissues and it affects how the child’s body works. 

Iron plays a vital role in muscle function, brain development and energy creation. A child with low iron may have learning and behavior problems. 

Causes 

In general, infants in developed countries don’t tend to have issues with low iron. During the infant stage, babies get the iron they need from breastmilk or formula that is fortified with iron. 

We start to see low iron problems as children move into toddlerhood. Children who drink too much cow’s milk or don’t eat enough iron rich foods such as red meat and leafy vegetables are at risk for anemia. 

Cow’s milk is not a good source of iron, to the contrary, it actually makes it harder for the body to absorb iron. Children who eat a vegetarian diet are also at risk for low iron because they are lacking the strong iron source that red meat provides. 

As children become teenagers, there are new causes of low iron. For boys, they may suffer anemia due to the rapid growth that happens during puberty. 

For girls, their bodies can’t store as much iron and they lose blood during menstruation. 

Symptoms 

The following are common symptoms of anemia that can help you determine if your child suffers from low iron: 

-Weakness or tiredness

-Pale skin, particularly around the hands, eyelids and nails

-Reduced appetite

-Rapid heartbeat

-Dizziness or lightheadedness

-Change in attitude or irritability

Its important to understand that iron deficiency happens over time. At first, the amount of iron in the body decreases and the child begins to have an iron deficiency where their muscle and brain functions can be affected. 

In time, as the iron in the body is used up, the child’s body starts to make fewer red blood cells and they become anemic. 

Your child’s doctor should test their iron and hemoglobin periodically to ensure that their levels are appropriate. In the meantime, these tips should help you determine how to tell if your child suffers from low iron. 

If your child suffers from low iron and you would like to participate in a paid clinical study, contact Miami Clinical Research now!



source https://miamiclinicalresearch.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-your-child-suffers-from-low-iron/