Frequently Asked Questions

No, you don’t need a referral. However, your doctor can help you find clinical trials that might be right for you.

No. Clinical trials are for people at any stage of a disease or treatment. Healthy people are also needed for studies like those that focus on prevention, screening, and other research.

Not always. Some studies allow you to continue your current treatment or join after finishing it. You can often keep seeing your current doctors while working with the study team. Ask how the study team will keep your doctors informed.

Usually, older age is not a problem, but some trials have specific age requirements. People of all ages are important in studies because our bodies and how we respond to medicine can change as we get older.

You can join a trial if standard treatments no longer work or if there are no options available. But many trials also accept people who are newly diagnosed or at different stages of a disease. Some studies may also be available if you’re still in treatment or finished with it.

No, you won’t. In fact, you’ll be closely monitored by the research team to ensure you’re receiving the care outlined in the study. Many participants feel they have better access to doctors and nurses during a trial.

Placebos (fake treatments) are not given if effective treatment is already available. Placebos are only used when no standard treatment exists. If your trial uses a placebo, the study team will explain this to you. To our knowledge, placebos are not used in fungal disease research with patients.

It’s normal to worry about this, but new drugs go through lab and animal testing to ensure they’re safe for humans before clinical trials. If safety concerns come up during a trial, the study will stop, and the risks will be evaluated.

You might have extra costs like travel, doctor visits, or tests, but the study sponsor or support organizations may cover these. Be sure to ask the study team about help with expenses.

Yes. Federal law requires hospitals and research centers that receive government funds to provide language services. If you need help with language, ask the study team.

Some trials may require you to travel. However, many studies help with travel costs or offer telehealth appointments to reduce the need for travel.