What Parents Should Know About Participating in a Pediatric Research Study

There are several reasons parents may consider enrolling their child in a research study at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI).  

For parents unsure about having their child participate in research, ACRI shared the following: 

• Participation in research is voluntary.
  • As parents, the decision to participate is theirs. Children also have an opportunity to provide their assent to participate. We will never do anything you haven't agreed to do. We will also safeguard every aspect of their health and outcomes that we possibly can during their participation. Our staff is extensively trained to protect the safety of our research participants. Research studies are designed with their well-being and rights in mind and reviewed and approved by ethics boards to ensure strict safety and ethical standards are in place. We are here to support families through the process and study. 

   

• You will receive an in-depth explanation about the study. 
  • Our team will review every detail of the study during the informed consent process, which is the cornerstone of clinical research. Researchers and ACRI’s trained research staff explain the study, sharing what will happen and when, the risks involved and the benefits. Parents can then make an informed decision about enrolling their child in the study.

   

• Your participation can change the lives of children everywhere.   
  • By joining a clinical study, families have the opportunity to impact not only their child’s health but also the lives of countless others facing similar conditions. Every study helps us learn, improve and advance medicine for children locally and globally. 

This article was written by the Arkansas Children’s content team and medically reviewed by Tamara Perry, M.D., Stacie Jones, M.D., and Veronica Smith.