Make Money Participating in Medical Research Studies

Recently I participated in a clinical trial, and I found it to be so interesting. And if you're a healthy person who voluntarily participates in these medical research studies, let me tell you, you are paid well.

Before the medical research study began, at the physical, I asked the doctor for permission to share my experience. I said I'd like to write about it online in an article. The doctor said as long as I didn't name the drug that was being tested, it would be fine.

So, here are the ground rules: I'm not going to give specifics about any of the study. Not about the drug, the facility, the staff, or other participants, but I imagine all of the clinical trials or medical research studies follow similar procedures.

It's my hope that this article might help you decide if making money doing clinical studies is for you.

Image Credit: The Graphics Fairy

After signing up for numerous drug studies and participating from start to finish in two, I wrote an ebook about my personal experiences. Check it out on Amazon.

Did you mom tell you to wear clean underwear in case you're in an accident? Well, same goes for when you do a drug study. Why not get some new undies and feel fresh as a daisy at the drug study?

1. Sex: Some studies are open to men and women. Some are for men only, some for women only.
2. Age: Many studies are open to 18 to 55 year olds. Others have a cut off at 45. Other clinical trials need older adults.
3. Height and Weight: BMI (body mass index) is calculated using height and weight. A max of 30 is needed for many studies though a few are higher, which allow heavier people to qualify.
4. Smoker/nonsmokers: Some studies require volunteers/participants to be nonsmokers. This means you currently do not smoke. Others allow smokers to participate.

1. I showed up early (I think they recommended 10 to 15 minutes) for my screening appointment. I signed the log in sheet, was given a health history to complete, and waited in the lobby until I was called.
2. A small group of us were taken to a room where a staff member reviewed the guidelines so we knew what to expect if we were chosen for the drug study. Everything was spelled out so we knew what the study was for.

   Mine was drug testing so we would be taking medicine. Some drugs are injected (with a needle) and some are taken orally (swallowed). Ours was orally.

   We signed the paperwork, which allowed them to continue with the screening.

3. We were then taken to an area with several stations:

   ~ urine (yes, we had to give a urine sample)

   ~ height and weight (this is where I thought I'd get rejected for having a BMI over the limit, but I made it!)

   ~ temperature

   ~ blood draw

   ~ review of health history paperwork

4. We were told to call in a few days later for our results. We'd either be out or in. If in, we'd have to come back for an ECG and a physical with the doctor.

   I called back and was in! They told me when to come for the ECG and physical.

5. At the second screening visit, I was told everything checked out and when to show up for the study, which included a stay of several nights at the clinic.

1. Each study is different. Find out what you can and can't eat or consume to qualify. Remember, everything you take in, comes out (and shows up in urine or blood).
2. Fasting is often required before the screening visits and before check in. We also were required to fast during the study. I think the longest was 14 hours, but it was okay.
3. Here are some of the common restrictions -- things you can't have before and during the study:

   ~ caffeine (coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, etc.)

   ~ alcohol

   ~ tobacco and nicotine products

   ~ prescription medicines

   ~ OTC (over the counter) medicines or vitamins, herbs, etc.

   ~ certain food restrictions, depending on each study

4. Here are some of the common restrictions -- things you can't do before, during, and possibly after the study:

   ~ donating blood

   ~ exercising strenuously

   Using adequate birth control to prevent pregnancy during the study and for a specified time after the study is complete is important, as well, for both men and women.

1. You Can Take These Items (But Check Your Study To Be Sure):

   ~ pajamas, slippers

   ~ shower shoes

   ~ toothbrush, plain unflavored dental floss

   ~ razor

   ~ underwear (panties, bras, undershirts, socks)

   ~ small book light/flashlight

   ~ reading material, books, magazines, puzzle books, etc.

   ~ laptops, tablets, cell phones and chargers (I forgot my cell phone charger, and my phone's so old that no one had one I could use! Live and learn!)

   ~ hobby material

2. You Cannot Take These Items (But Check Your Study To Be Sure):

   ~ food, drink, gum, mints, empty water bottles

   ~ toiletries (they provided shampoo, soap, deodorant/antiperspirant, toothpaste)

   ~ extra clothes (you wear scrubs that they provide during the day)

1. Events are scheduled including when you wake up and go to sleep (lights out). Of course those two things, especially the go to sleep part depend on if you can fall asleep exactly at 11:00 p.m. I can't.
2. Roughly, in a day, you wake up. Give a urine sample. Brush teeth, shower, whatever you have time for. Many people showered in the middle of the day when we had a large chunk of open time.
3. Lay down for ECG tabs to be applied. Rows of portable massage tables are set up for these events.
4. ECG, vital signs, blood draw.
5. Free time. Here are some ways to kill time during a drug study: a TV or two, a landline telephone for local calls (or long distance with a calling card), and a few desktop computers were provided. This is typical, I believe, but you'll find out exactly what is available to use at your particular study.

   Some people played charades, board games, put together puzzles, talked, read, napped, etc.

   Many others took laptops and worked or watched movies or played games between events in their free time.

6. Lunch about 12:45 p.m.
7. Blood draw.
8. Talk to nurse about how you're feeling (adverse effects).
9. Free time.
10. Dinner about 5:45 p.m.
11. Free time.
12. Evening snack about 8:15 p.m.
13. Lights out 11:00 p.m.

Often there is a lot of down time at a medical research study. You have literally hours to spend between events. Take along a laptop or iPad or other device to use to make that time fly by!

1. Food: All of your food is provided at the clinical trial. You cannot bring anything with you including food, gum, mints. Nothing.

   I had higher hopes for what we'd be served. It was "cafeteria" food, to put it nicely.

   So, I ate what I liked and left what I didn't. Each meal was somewhat well balanced with protein, vegetable, fruit, starch, and fat.

   Some of the better meals were the ones that included ground beef tacos with rice, chicken fillet sandwich with potato salad, and a chicken/noodle/cheese casserole with a cookie for dessert.

2. Food: During the study that I did, we were not required to eat everything we were served. Some studies require participants to eat everything and sometimes in a timed fashion (within exactly 30 minutes, for example).
3. Food: Some days we had to fast and only were served lunch, dinner, and an evening snack.

   Other days we got breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an evening snack.

4. Sleep: We were assigned rooms and beds. The rooms were dorm style and had several bunk beds in each room. I luckily got a bottom bunk because I have to get up and go to the restroom several times a night. I wasn't looking forward to falling out of bed!
5. Sleep: Ear plugs are my new best friend. My bed was against a wall that shared a wall with the women's restroom. I could hear each toilet flush and paper towel that was yanked from the dispenser, until I tried the ear plugs they provided. What a difference! At home I use a sound machine (white noise machine) for noise, but I was told not to bring it.

   Not all studies provide ear plugs, so I'd recommend taking along a few pairs. I also wore the ear plugs during the day when the TV out in the common area was loud and I could hear it while trying to read in my room.

6. Sleep: The mattresses were plastic covered. To make them less noisy and cold, one of my roommates who is an old pro at doing clinical trials said she always takes the bottom sheet off and puts a blanket down then puts the bottom sheet back on. I tried it and it was much more comfortable.

If you are required to stay overnight for the paid medical study, a pair of shower shoes is a must.

This author, Peggy Hazelwood, participates in Amazon, eBay, All Posters, and other affiliate advertising programs. When you click an advertising link on this page and make a purchase, I receive a small percent of the sale. Thank you for reading this far!