Doctors urge older adults to join clinical trials for early access to new treatments

Clinical trials offer direct access to new medicines and devices that are not yet available to the general public, according to medical experts speaking on the Aging Untold program. Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, described this early access as a primary benefit of participation. She stated that individuals receive tomorrow's medicines today, including devices and therapies that would otherwise be unavailable for years.

Rogers advised participants to shift their focus from personal cure to scientific inquiry. She recommended asking what the trial aims to answer rather than whether the trial will help them personally. This approach aligns the participant's expectations with the study's actual goals. She noted that many people mistakenly view clinical trials as a last resort when other options are exhausted. Rogers countered that they are a proactive method for exploring new treatments.

Amy O'Rourke, an aging expert, addressed the common concern that participants might receive a placebo. She explained that individuals may receive either the drug or the placebo and should enter the trial with that expectation. O'Rourke also highlighted the non-medical benefits of participation. She reported that clients who joined a local clinical trial group found strong support from social workers. These workers provided access to community resources and support groups that participants had not previously known existed.

Gerontologist Sam Cradduck emphasized the physiological necessity of including older adults in research. She explained that medication metabolizes differently in older communities than in younger ones. Without senior participation, she said, the medical field is walking blind. Cradduck added that new medicines cannot receive approval without undergoing clinical trials. She dismissed the fear of being a guinea pig by noting that studies have been thoroughly tested repeatedly before reaching the public phase.

To find studies, Rogers suggested searching ClinicalTrials.gov or consulting a physician. Academic centers and disease-specific organizations also run their own trials. O'Rourke noted that the National Institutes of Health maintains a list of which trials compensate participants. Rogers added that many studies cover costs such as gas and some pay participants directly for their time.

The experts presented these points during a discussion on the Aging Untold program, which is provided for educational and informational purposes. The panel included Rogers, O'Rourke, and Cradduck. They addressed the exclusion of older adults from research and the steps patients can take to find suitable studies. The program does not constitute medical advice, and participants are encouraged to consult licensed physicians regarding specific health conditions.