Questions to Ask About Clinical Trials
Clinical trials follow a protocol, which is a detailed plan to protect your health and answer research questions. The protocol explains what you’ll be doing and what you can expect from the study team. Before joining, make sure you understand the risks, benefits, and your rights as a participant.
Here are some questions you can ask the research team:
- What is the purpose of the study?
- What phase is this clinical trial in?
- What treatment is being studied?
- What is the treatment being compared to?
- Have there been similar studies? What were the results?
- Who is paying for this study?
- Do you think I meet the requirements to join this study?
- Why do researchers think this treatment might work?
- What happens if I get worse during the trial?
- What will I need to do if I join?
- Will it cost me anything to participate? Will I get reimbursed?
- What are the risks, benefits, and options if I get hurt?
- What kinds of treatments, procedures, or tests will I have during the trial?
- Who will give me these treatments, procedures, or tests?
- What side effects might happen from the treatments or tests?
- Can I keep taking my regular medications while in the trial?
- Will I find out the results of the study?
- How can I contact the study team if I have questions or concerns?
Click here to print out this list to use when talking with the research team.