Post by faith19 on Jan 25, 2014 22:26:59 GMT -5
Just completed my first study at Parexel & wanted to share the experience for anyone considering a stay here.
I did 18 days/17 nights. 14 women in one room.
The good:
* Screening was a breeze. Got there early, everything went really smooth, and I was one of the first to leave. I heard horror stories about changes in dates & canceled studies, but I had no problems.
* Check-in and check-out were also really smooth. There was some waiting, of course, but nothing outrageous.
* Most of the staff was friendly.
* One females-only bathroom/shower, which means the toilet seat was always down!!
The bad:
* No remotes for the TVs. Buttons are almost all broken from over-use.
* TERRIBLE DVD selection!
* The thermostats don't have lock-boxes, which means anyone can adjust the temperature anywhere from 55 - 80 degrees. Two words: Thermostat Wars.
* Contrary to what it says on the website, one of the rooms does NOT have a harbor view.
* Scrubs they provide are literally falling apart. One lady's drawstring snapped & her pants fell down. They're ripped, stained, and are paper-thin from multiple washings.
The ugly:
* Expect to be woken up at 4:00 EVERY MORNING. There are computers next to almost every bed, and for some reason they have to be booted up by the night shift. They beep loudly & are super bright, and the monitors stay on for about 15 min before going to sleep. Despite asking staff every single day to at least turn the monitors off, they never did. Some staff leave the door or even turn on the light in to turn the computers on.
* Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. There are only 8 chairs in the media room, so if you need a break from your roommates you can either walk the halls or hide in the bathroom.
* Large studies are even worse. 14 beds & 4 TVs in the room. So if you have a show on, you have to struggle to hear it over the other TVs & everyone talking. Better just bring your laptop & headphones & download what you want to watch.
The horrific:
* Food is disgusting. The absolute worst of hospital food. It's gross to begin with, and then it sits under the heating element for about 2 hours so it's all dried up. Potatoes at EVERY MEAL. Mystery meat. Several of us lost weight because the food went right through us, and I can't blame the meds because we were in different studies!
* I was sick all day Sunday, but couldn't report it because there's NO STAFF between lunch & 6pm. If you're lucky you can grab a janitor to let you in to a shower. No linens or scrubs are stocked either, so get them on Saturday.
Bottom line: maybe a long study with a lot of women soured my experience. But there was hardly anyone else on the floor with us, so I can't imagine how crowded, noisy, and dirty it gets when the place is full. If I'm ever desperate, I may go back. But mostly I want to forget I was ever there.
I did 18 days/17 nights. 14 women in one room.
The good:
* Screening was a breeze. Got there early, everything went really smooth, and I was one of the first to leave. I heard horror stories about changes in dates & canceled studies, but I had no problems.
* Check-in and check-out were also really smooth. There was some waiting, of course, but nothing outrageous.
* Most of the staff was friendly.
* One females-only bathroom/shower, which means the toilet seat was always down!!
The bad:
* No remotes for the TVs. Buttons are almost all broken from over-use.
* TERRIBLE DVD selection!
* The thermostats don't have lock-boxes, which means anyone can adjust the temperature anywhere from 55 - 80 degrees. Two words: Thermostat Wars.
* Contrary to what it says on the website, one of the rooms does NOT have a harbor view.
* Scrubs they provide are literally falling apart. One lady's drawstring snapped & her pants fell down. They're ripped, stained, and are paper-thin from multiple washings.
The ugly:
* Expect to be woken up at 4:00 EVERY MORNING. There are computers next to almost every bed, and for some reason they have to be booted up by the night shift. They beep loudly & are super bright, and the monitors stay on for about 15 min before going to sleep. Despite asking staff every single day to at least turn the monitors off, they never did. Some staff leave the door or even turn on the light in to turn the computers on.
* Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. There are only 8 chairs in the media room, so if you need a break from your roommates you can either walk the halls or hide in the bathroom.
* Large studies are even worse. 14 beds & 4 TVs in the room. So if you have a show on, you have to struggle to hear it over the other TVs & everyone talking. Better just bring your laptop & headphones & download what you want to watch.
The horrific:
* Food is disgusting. The absolute worst of hospital food. It's gross to begin with, and then it sits under the heating element for about 2 hours so it's all dried up. Potatoes at EVERY MEAL. Mystery meat. Several of us lost weight because the food went right through us, and I can't blame the meds because we were in different studies!
* I was sick all day Sunday, but couldn't report it because there's NO STAFF between lunch & 6pm. If you're lucky you can grab a janitor to let you in to a shower. No linens or scrubs are stocked either, so get them on Saturday.
Bottom line: maybe a long study with a lot of women soured my experience. But there was hardly anyone else on the floor with us, so I can't imagine how crowded, noisy, and dirty it gets when the place is full. If I'm ever desperate, I may go back. But mostly I want to forget I was ever there.
