COMMENTS FROM TRIAL PARTICIPANT

Karen was very concerned about treatment options when she was diagnosed with CMV retinitis. Her doctor told her about a clinical trial being conducted at an ACTG Clinical Research Site located approximately one hour from her home. He suggested that she consider becoming a participant.

Karen's understanding about clinical trials at that time was, "That researchers were testing different drug combinations to see if any of them worked on the CMV." There were many questions she would need answered before she could decide whether or not to enroll in a clinical trial. "I was referred by my HIV doctor at the time to attend the Community Advisory Board meetings of our local unit." This is where Karen met others living with HIV and learned about the disease, new treatments, and medications.

"I was scared about losing my sight and wanted to be checked very closely to make sure that it did not happen," Karen said. After investigating a clinical trial she felt, "It can't get better than this."

Predicaments like Karen's are not uncommon. "Patients have serious and life-threatening diseases. They're afraid. They want some options, but they're not sure where to go. We try to provide the information and alternatives that patients and their families need to make important decisions in such difficult situations," said an ACTG Principal Investigator.

A PowerPoint slide presentation about Why Clinical Research is Important to Persons with HIV/AIDS can be viewed to learn more about the clinical trials process.