AWARE Boston | AWARE Indiana | AWARE Philadelphia | AWARE Dallas

CISCRP (the Center for Information & Study on Clinical Research Participation) organizes and hosts AWARE for All (Annual Workshops to Advance Clinical Research Education). These educational programs are held in metropolitan areas and are free and open to the public. They include thank you receptions for local clinical research participants, Informational workshops with top doctors and researchers, health screenings and additional educational resources.

Surveys have shown that even though 94% of the public recognizes that participation in clinical research is very important to advance medical science, 74% say they have no ‘real’ knowledge of the clinical research process. In addition, 98% do not know where and how to identify and evaluate appropriate clinical studies for patients diagnosed with cancer and other chronic diseases.

There is a need for general education about the clinical research process including the risks, benefits and the rights of participants. Patients typically learn about the risks and benefits for the first time when asked to sign an informed consent document, which is required of all participants before beginning a study. This in not an ideal time for such education because the person or loved one may be under great stress due to illness. In fact, a recent survey showed that 35% of people who signed consent forms said they did not understand what they signed and another 10% claimed never to have read the document at all. The purpose of AWARE for All is to address this lack of fundamental knowledge.

Through Aware for All, CISCRP and our organizational partners help build greater awareness and understanding of the clinical research process and the important role participation plays in advancing medical science.

Please join us at one of our upcoming AWARE for All programs in Boston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and Dallas.