Medical research, from vaccinations and flu shots to cutting edge surgical techniques, has made the world a healthier, safer place to live. Now, researchers are calling on more to participate in research studies.
Experts say a shift in public thinking could help get the involvement need to quicken the pace of these breakthroughs.
In an article featured this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA, experts say medical research is actually a "public good" that everyone benefits from, and requires everyone's participation.
An estimated 16 million more people are needed annually for biomedical research. Greater participation will speed up findings on new drugs and procedures with the potential to save lives.
The article suggests that study participation could increase if physicians did a better job informing their patients about appropriate studies and offering them opportunities to enroll.
