Spotlight on participating in research
Every year hundreds of thousands of people take part in studies. They answer questions about their lifestyles, provide blood samples, test new drugs, and so on. Medical research is entirely dependent on the contributions these healthy volunteers and patients make.
Without subjects research stops
Medical research is entirely dependent on healthy volunteers and patients. Monica Röhr Sjöqvist, Sanna and Rebecka Johansson, Henrik Forsberg, and Mattias Carlsten have all particitated in research. Photo credit: Lindsten & Nilsson.
“We laugh and have a good time together”
Monica Röhr Sjöqvist is participating in a balance study for Parkinson’s disease.
“I took double anaesthetic”
Henrik Forsberg participated in a study on prolonged exercise. Among other things he had a muscle biopsy.
“As twins we’re useful”
The twin sisters Sanna and Rebecka Johansson always says yes when asked to participate in research.
“I donated bone marrow to my colleagues”
Mattias Carlsten is a medical doctor and a research group leader. He has donated cells to his colleagues.
Three researchers who experiment on themselves
It is not always easy finding people to take part in research. Sometimes the most simple thing is to conduct the testing on yourself, in fact.
Facts about clinical research
It is important to minimise the risks for participants in clinical studies. In Sweden, the research leader is responsible for the well-being of the people involved, as well as for the information that is collected – which is regulated by laws and ethical guidelines.