Educational Materials
Medical Heroes Membership Packets
When clinical research participants are excused from the study team, they have a high willingness to participate in another clinical trial. But across the industry there is no follow up, and patients have no sense of connection or assurance of their contribution or value. Recent surveys have found that 79% of study volunteers report that they never hear from the research center once their participation has ended. Most study volunteers (86%) say that they want to receive information about what the research community learned from their participation. Only 14% of study volunteers believe that the industry will eventually disseminate all information -- positive or negative -- about an investigational treatment. This lack of responsiveness to clinical research volunteers is a serious issue that the industry can address through CISCRP’s Medical Heroes membership program. Below is a brief description of the services that companies can make available to patients at a cost of $1 per patient.
Medical Heroes Membership
- Thanking Patients for volunteering in your clinical research study
CISCRP will provide site staff with membership packets that they can personalize with their own handwritten signature. The message to the patient begins as follows: “It is said that the greatest gift is one which is given anonymously, giving when you do not know whether you will get direct personal benefit. This is the gift that you have given by taking part in clinical research. It is a brave and selfless act. Your decision to participate may not only bring you hope but also benefits public health and advances medical knowledge…”
- Providing patients the benefits of Medical Heroes Membership
By offering the membership packet to patients, site staff can reassure them that, in return for their volunteering in a trial, they will receive the following:
- Free bi-monthly newsletter called “Medical Heroes” which contains patient profiles (i.e., stories of patients who have participated in trials), ongoing education on the risks and benefits of participating in clinical trials, as well as recent clinical trial results
- Invitation to attend a free public education program in their community (“AWARE for All – Clinical Research Education Day”) where they will be recognized as a Medical Hero and receive a gift
- Online social network known as “Clinical Research Volunteers Community” that connects patients, families, friends and caregivers for support and inspiration... http://community.ciscrp.org
- Assistance in locating clinical trials through www.SearchClinicalTrials.org or by calling 1-877-MED HERO
All these services are provided directly to the patients by CISCRP. Companies incur no additional cost beyond the $1 per patient for the membership packet itself. Patients have the opportunity to register for all these services from CISCRP by going online to www.MedHero.org or by calling 1-877-MED HERO.
- Recognizing your patients as a Medical Hero with a Lifetime Membership Card
Study staff will be able to build patient pride by telling them they are now part of a community of millions of people like them who are heroes in the discovery of new medical treatments. The study staff can let their patients know they will be recognized and honored during the “National Medical Heroes Day” coming soon. Their Medical Heroes packet includes a pop-out card that the patient can keep in their wallet as an official member of the medical heroes community.
From the patient’s point of view, concerns about follow up and recognition for volunteering will be addressed. From the industry’s point of view, there is virtually no incremental investment in time with a patient who has completed a clinical trial. This is truly a win-win scenario where CISCRP and industry can collaborate to carry out the mission to educate the public about the clinical research process and promote greater understanding and appreciation of the role of the clinical research volunteer.
To purchase these packets for your patients click here.
