Has anyone who has been asked to join a research study had difficulty or been refused travel Insurance

[Holidayescape]

I was asked to join a research study. Travel insurance have informed me that they may cancel my existing policy and that I may not be able to get travel insurance. Anyone had problems like this. I would love to join the study but I have a holiday book. Thanks

[Hidden]

this sounds very odd. Why would joining a study invalidate an existing contract? Have a look at your small print

[Holidayescape in reply to Hidden]

Thank you gor replying. I have no idea why. I will have a look. Thanks

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,Which trial are you taking part in?

I have never heard that taking part in research studies invalidates an individual's travel insurance.

I am involved in many clinical research studies.

I suggest you ask the travel insurers to provide, to explain in writing why they , may not be able to obtain travel insurance.

[Holidayescape in reply to Milkfairy]

I had an email inviting me to join a study called HARP. I now cannot access the email to tell you more about it. I contacted the travel insurance company to ask if there would be a problem regard this and she said they may not insure me in the future and they would have to refer it to the underwriters to see if my policy which is running at present would still cover me if I was travelling at the moment. I have a holiday booked for June and although my insurance is due for renewal in May I am worried that they would cancel this one if I join. So complicated. I was only asking a question. Thank you for replying. I hope you are feeling better.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

This information may help ?

It's from NIHR, National Institute of Healthcare Research NIHR and the Association of Travel Insurers.

bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk....

aomrc.org.uk/publication/ac...

Perhaps contact the trial team too ?

I am doing okay, thanks for asking. I saw my Cardiologist last week at short notice.

He tweaked my medication and we're keeping our fingers crossed.

[Holidayescape in reply to Milkfairy]

Hu, I am glad you are feeling better. Fingers crossed the change works. I tried to phone them today with no success but I will try again tomorrow. I will also read the links you have sent me. Thank you so much. The trial is in Glasgow.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

If joining a medical trial means me not getting travel insurance cover then I would certainly not be joining the trial.

[Partner20]

I would imagine that as during some trials participants will be taken off their current medications and prescribed an untested regime, or even in some cases a placebo, that in the worst case scenario these procedures might well destabilise the participants' conditions, which is what is concerning the insurers.I can perfectly understand refusal of insurance if there is a possibility that any of the insured medical conditions and their treatment could be knowingly subject to adverse changes and/or outcomes, and would strongly suggest that the insurance company is given full details of the trial and exactly what it entails for their comments. As you could, in effect, be changing the declarations made in your original insurance proposal documents, your insurer is entitled to change or decline existing or future cover. It could well be a minefield to negotiate, unfortunately.

[Pepperthedog]

I find this very concerning, even sinister, and it raises a lot of questions. Why would an insurance company be notified of your participation in a research study? What kind of organisation did the research, and what is their policy on confidentiality? As happyrosie1 suggests, look at the small print - though that can be hard to interpret. The principle of participating in research for the common good is an important one, but your experience is sobering.

The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) site states: "Taking part in a research study should not affect your insurance cover, providing the medical condition in question doesn’t... Travel insurers do not typically ask about clinical research trials. In the instance where an insurer does ask an individual about their participation in clinical research trials, the insurer must ensure the question is clear and the individual should answer it accurately and honestly." Apparently, health research is rarely funded by insurance companies, but they can provide cover to the research organisation for any risks associated with clinical trials, etc.

The UK HARP (Heart and Renal Protection) studies were carried out by academic researchers at different universities with NHS support - e.g. HARP III was done by Oxford University. It seems surprising, possibly unethical, that a prestigious university would approve the (mis)use of participants' data in this way, and you're entitled to make a formal complaint. Be aware that your "data belongs to the institution. If you work, or conduct research on a university campus or in any private industry, no doubt they have an institutional policy that states that all intellectual property is owned by the institution". This suggests the institution under whose umbrella the research was carried out may itself be liable for any data breach not covered by the tiny print.

Government data protection advice is: "If you think your data has been misused or that the organisation holding it has not kept it secure, you should contact them and tell them. If you're unhappy with their response, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office ( ICO ) or get advice from the ICO." It's worth pursuing if you can find the time.

Best of luck.

[Holidayescape in reply to Pepperthedog]

Hi, thank you for this information. I telephoned the insurance company yo ask if my insure cover would be affected by joi ing a research study.I have just contacted them again and after going through every page of the policy and what would not be covered it states research and trails will not be covered. So unfortunately I will not be joining this study.

Thank you everyone who took the time to answer my question.

[Pepperthedog in reply to Holidayescape]

That's a really useful bit of information, thanks very much, and will put me off joining any research studies in future too, unfortunately.

[Holidayescape in reply to Pepperthedog]

I am so disappointed that I cannot take part. Research is so important.

[Holidayescape]

Sorry, I should read my message before posting.

[Pepperthedog]

I agree. I used to do research into work-based stress, and was grateful for people's participation. But it wasn't the kind of research that would affect their lives or health in any way.

[Holidayescape]

I was involved in a research study called MINOCA last year. I was so lucky to be asked to join. I had 2 cardiac mri and one of my brain. I was also asked to give a biopsy from my bottom, that was voluntary but I did it. The biopsy was used to research new medication for the type of angina I have. It was so interesting. Every little helps for future care.