Giving back: How to find opportunities to participate in medical studies

February 28, 2025

4 minutes

Clinical research vs. medical studies: what's the difference?

Sometimes, the terms clinical research and medical studies are used interchangeably. While both terms fall under the umbrella of health research, they have different meanings and purposes.

Clinical research works to explore new treatments, interventions, and medical devices. Often, clinical trials require human participants to determine the safety and side effects of potential new treatments. Generally, clinical research has a narrow focus, such as exploring a single new treatment for a disease. This type of research works to advance the scientific understanding of and treatment for specific diseases.

Medical studies, in contrast, encompass all studies in the field of medicine (including clinical research). Basic science research, clinical research, epidemiological studies, genetic research, and analysis of public health trends all fall into the medical studies category.

Medical research with Evidation

At Evidation, we're committed to contributing to medical research, and we're proud that more than one million Evidation Members have participated in studies that contribute to the future of medicine. In 2024, Evidation Members completed 4.5 million research surveys, and thousands participated in medical studies including FluSmart2024, MigraineSmart, and the BARDA Study, a large-scale study designed to explore whether wearable devices can predict the presence of the flu.

There are many ways to contribute to medical research with Evidation, including choosing to share the health data that you're already tracking with our team. Many of our members also agree to join health studies run through our platform.

Here's how it works:

• Step one: determine eligibility . After you download the Evidation app, you'll notice opportunities to participate in health studies or programs. When you indicate your interest in joining a health study or research program with Evidation, we'll ask you questions about your habits and health conditions to determine whether you might be a candidate to participate. Sometimes, the information you provide will be enough to determine whether you're a good candidate for a study. Other times, more information might be needed (such as lab work) to determine whether you fit the profile researchers need.
• Step two: learn about the study. If you're determined eligible and are asked to participate in the study, you'll be presented with the opportunity to learn more. It's important to us to provide you with all the information you need to ensure that you feel comfortable participating. The Evidation team is always here to answer your questions at each step of the process.
• Step three: participate. You don't need to travel to participate in health studies with Evidation. Most of the studies we offer don't require you to use devices beyond your phone. In the event that you do need to use an activity tracker, smart scale, or other device, we'll send it to your door free of charge.

Why participation matters

When you participate in medical studies, you aren't just getting to learn more about your own health—you're also doing your part to support the health of others. Clinical trials and other forms of medical research can explore how different variables affect various facets of health. The information you provide by participating in health research can help to improve the quality of life of others, as well as provide you with insight into how your actions affect your own well-being.

Your privacy: how Evidation protects your data

Your privacy is our top priority, and our security team is dedicated to keeping your data as secure as possible. You choose the data you'd like to share with Evidation, and you have the right to revoke sharing at any time.

If you decide to participate in a study, we'll explain the information that will be used for the study. You'll be asked to sign an informed consent document to ensure you understand what data will be collected and how it will be used.

If you have any questions about what data we collect, how we use data, or who we share data with, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to help.

Hit your goals and help others with Evidation

If you're searching for ways to contribute to medical research, we're glad you found us. At Evidation, we use the data you choose to share to help take modern medicine to the next level. We're excited for you to join us in making a difference.

Click here to get started by downloading our free app. We appreciate your participation in driving medical research forward.