FAQ's
Frequently-Asked Questions about Research Advocacy and the Advocate Link website.
Please note this page is updated frequently so please check often to stay up-to-date with our site.
What is research advocacy?
Research advocacy infuses the patient perspective into research making scientific and medical advances more timely and effective for people with cancer. Research advocates help provide a "face" to the science - as researchers focus on new approaches to cancer treatment, research advocates work alongside them and remind them of the human element. This partnership ensures clinical trials ask questions important to patients, eligibility criteria allow diversity of participation, and trial designs attract potential participants. Research advocates support conducting ethical, well-designed research and work to disseminate the results of that research so that new and better treatments are available in communities throughout the United States.
Research advocacy infuses the patient perspective into research making scientific and medical advances more timely and effective for people with cancer. Research advocates help provide a "face" to the science - as researchers focus on new approaches to cancer treatment, research advocates work alongside them and remind them of the human element. This partnership ensures clinical trials ask questions important to patients, eligibility criteria allow diversity of participation, and trial designs attract potential participants. Research advocates support conducting ethical, well-designed research and work to disseminate the results of that research so that new and better treatments are available in communities throughout the United States.
What have research advocates done to support research?
Research advocates support research by enhancing trial/study design. They review protocols, serve on study sections and conduct or participate in focus groups providing input into specific trial designs. Research advocates serve on Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)
Research advocates support research by enhancing trial/study design. They review protocols, serve on study sections and conduct or participate in focus groups providing input into specific trial designs. Research advocates serve on Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)
What can research advocates do in their communities to support research?
Research advocates can support research in their communities in a number of important ways. These activities include speaking to potential participants about clinical trials, reviewing informed consent documents, clinical trial concepts and protocols. These activities may need the sponsorship of a local hospital or Cancer Center.
Research advocates can support research in their communities in a number of important ways. These activities include speaking to potential participants about clinical trials, reviewing informed consent documents, clinical trial concepts and protocols. These activities may need the sponsorship of a local hospital or Cancer Center.
What skills do research advocates need to advance research?
Survivors, caregivers and friends need: *Desire to make things better *Good communication skills *Ability to represent all patients and not just their personal "story" *Willingness to learn the basics of science/treatments *Ability to work collaboratively with others
Survivors, caregivers and friends need: *Desire to make things better *Good communication skills *Ability to represent all patients and not just their personal "story" *Willingness to learn the basics of science/treatments *Ability to work collaboratively with others
