Mental Health America of Virginia The voice of reason in mental health advocacy

Screen 12: Scientific Studies

In order to make advances in medicine, researchers have to run scientific studies to see if their proposed treatments work. At the end of the process, these scientists use human volunteers to test the treatments. You can decide now whether you want to be a part of such tests during the time when you do not have the capacity to make the decision for yourself. If you feel it is important to participate in such studies, you can give your agent the authority to consent to your participation if you lack the capacity to make the decision yourself. On the other hand, you may feel strongly that you do not want to receive experimental treatment. If that's the case, you can state that decision in your Advance Directive and your agent will have no authority to consent to your participation.

If you want to allow your agent to enroll you in experimental studies, there is one more decision to make. Do you only want to participate in studies that may help you in some way or are you open to participating in studies even if the only benefit is helping the scientist learn more about whatever disease you have? Some people may be willing to receive experimental treatment if there is a possibility it will make them better but do not want to go through it if there is no hope it will work for them. Other people may believe that if the research will help others with their particular disease, it is worth it even if it won't help them directly. Neither decision is right or wrong. You just have to make your decision based on your own beliefs, values and experiences.

NEXT - Screen 13: Visitation and Notification

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