Doctors urge older adults to join clinical trials despite common fears

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, advises potential participants to shift their mindset before enrolling in a clinical trial. Rogers, who appears on the program Aging Untold, argues that individuals should focus on the scientific question the study aims to answer rather than asking if the trial will help them personally. This approach helps patients understand that a trial is primarily a research tool rather than a guaranteed treatment plan.

Rogers notes that many people view trials as a last resort, a step taken only when other options have failed. She contends that this view misses a major benefit: early access to future medicines, devices, and therapies. "You get great access to tomorrow’s medicines today," Rogers said. These treatments may not be available to the general public for years.

Aging expert Amy O’Rourke emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations. Participants may receive a placebo instead of the active drug. O’Rourke stated, "You might be the one getting the placebo, you might get the drug itself." She adds that clients often find value in the social support provided by trial sites, including access to social workers and community resources.

Gerontologist "Sam" Cradduck highlights a critical gap in medical research: older adults are frequently excluded from studies. Cradduck explains that medication metabolizes differently in older bodies than in younger ones. Without this data, doctors prescribe treatments without full knowledge of how they will affect aging patients. "They’re often walking blind," Cradduck said regarding the lack of data on older populations.

The National Institutes of Health maintains a list of clinical trials, some of which compensate participants for their time. Rogers recommends that interested individuals check ClinicalTrials.gov, consult their physicians, or look at academic centers. Cradduck addresses the common fear of being a guinea pig by noting that drugs have been tested repeatedly before reaching the clinical trial stage. "You’re not a guinea pig," she said.

New medicines cannot be approved without undergoing clinical trials. Cradduck asserts that if the medical community wants new treatments, it must include diverse age groups in the testing process. Participants should understand that while adverse effects are possible with any prescribed medication, the trial process is designed to gather the necessary safety and efficacy data for future approvals.