It's very important that parents do not feel pressured into making a decision, especially if the person making the request is the child's pediatrician. A drug study should always be a match for the child. Obviously, a child should not participate in the study of an epilepsy drug unless the child has epilepsy. However, some conditions are so common that all children will benefit by having any child participate. For example, researchers may be investigating a new drug to treat fever or ear infections in children.
Parents know their children better than anyone else.
Listen to parents when they express doubts that their child may not have the temperament or personality to cope with the disciplined regimen required by a clinical trial. However, it is important to remind parents that children have a great sense of altruism and they will benefit by understanding that they're helping others. A protocol is the document by which all research studies flow. There must be no deviation. A protocol begins by explaining what is being studied and why.