OUR STUDIES
In order to carry out certain kinds of research, the Public Research Centre for Health needs volunteers either in good health or suffering from particular diseases, who are willing to take part in studies.
Your participation is the key to success in health research. It is an important contribution to the development of treatments for diseases. We need you.
What are the types of studies for which we need volunteers?
1. Epidemiological studies in the general population:
We carry out studies to learn about the state of health of the population living in Luxemburg, to identify risk factors to which it is subject and to follow developments over time. To do this, we need people willing to answer questionnaires about their health, their lifestyles, their circumstances, and who are willing to undergo a check-up, free of charge, sometimes including blood tests or radiological examinations. These studies concern both healthy and sick people equally. For these studies, each participant receives a research number so that the data collected are always anonymous.
How do you take part?
For this type of study, you will have been selected on the basis of the national register of the Sécurité Sociale (national health insurance). We send a letter addressed to you personally, inviting you to participate in the study, along with an information leaflet about the research and a consent form for you to sign. If you agree to participate, all you have to do is return the reply coupon and you will be contacted by the research team in charge of the study.
2. Clinical epidemiology studies
We carry out clinical studies on particular diseases (cancer, cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, allergic diseases, mental illnesses, etc) to gain a better understanding of the origins of these illnesses and their development, to improve diagnosis and treatment. These studies are carried out in collaboration with specialists or family doctors. For these studies, each participant receives a research number so that the data collected are always anonymous.
How do you take part?
For this type of study, it is the doctor who is treating you for your illness who will suggest that you take part in the study, explain the study to you, give you the information leaflet and give you the consent form to sign should you agree to take part. Sometimes, once you have signed up, the research team will contact you to arrange for you to take part in the study.
For some very specific studies, we may find it necessary to look for volunteers through the press or television. In this case, if you fit the criteria, you can contact us on the numbers shown on the media and we will provide you with all the information on how to take part.
3. Therapeutic trials
We carry out studies testing the effectiveness of new therapies for particular diseases. These new therapies may be drugs, but they may also be behavioural therapies, new surgical techniques, etc. These studies are carried out in collaboration with specialists or family doctors. For these studies, each participant receives a research number so that the data collected are always anonymous.
How do you take part?
For this type of study, it is the doctor who is treating you for your illness who will suggest that you take part in the study, explain the study to you, give you the information leaflet and give you the consent form to sign should you agree to take part. Sometimes, once you have signed up, the research team will contact you to arrange for you to take part in the study.