Connecting Patients to Clinical Trials

Post submitted by Kelli Collins, MSW, a Stakeholder Research Partner on our study. Kelli is the Vice President for Patient Engagement at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). 

​Many people are curious about clinical trials and medical research. They may wonder – What are clinical trials? How do I find one? Do I qualify? Is it safe?  Others are confused about or even fearful of clinical trials.  In addition, it can be hard to find clinical trials and enroll in them if eligible. 
 
To help overcome these challenges and dispel myths, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) launched a website to help connect people with kidney disease to clinical trials. Visitors to the new site will find information about how clinical trials work, including how researchers find patients to enroll and what patients joining a trial are expected to do. Personal stories from people who have participated in a clinical trial along with general information about medical research can help patients decide if they would like to become involved in medical research. And, if so, the site can help them find clinical trials in their local area by answering a few questions about their health.
 
Additional topics include:

• Description of a clinical trial
• Reasons people participate in trials
• What to expect during when trying to join a trial
• Reasons patients might not be accepted into a trial
• What to expect during the trial
• What to expect when the trial ends
• Where to find more resources
• Questions to ask your health care provider regarding trials in chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Patient stories 

 
So whether you are just curious to learn more about clinical trials or are ready to find one to join visit the NKF Clinical Trials website here.

Want to get this information in the mail? A brochure by mail?  Contact our NKF Cares Helpline to request your free copy (available in English and Spanish) today:  1-855-653-2273 or nkfcares@kidney.org. 

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