FAQs

Before a new medical intervention can be approved for use, it must be shown to be safe and effective. Clinical trials are a critical part of this process.

Clinical trials study interventions such as new drugs, vaccines, medical devices, medical procedures, and behavioral interventions.

Volunteers who match study requirements – such as gender, age, condition, or treatment history – can join a clinical trial. A member of the study team will screen all volunteers to confirm they meet the requirements of the trial.

No, you are welcome to contact any ongoing study directly.

If a patient is ineligible, they should check with their healthcare provider to seek other options.

If you’re living with a condition, joining a clinical trial could give you access to a new intervention before it is publicly available. Participation can also plays a vital part in helping others who have a similar condition – both now and in the future. Healthy volunteers in trials also contribute to this medical progress.

Yes, there are some risks in participation. The experimental intervention might be less effective than current standard interventions if one is available for the indication being studied. It could also include side effects. However, precautions are built into the study design to ensure it is as safe as possible. An independent body regularly reviews trial data and will end it if it is unsafe or far less effective than the standard of care or placebo. You may always leave the trial at any time if you wish.

All trials have different timelines due to various factors, such as the trial phase, study design, treatment duration, or health condition being studied. During the consent process before enrolling, the research team will explain the specifics about the trial.

Trial sites include hospitals and medical centers, universities, or doctors’ offices. Some trials have more than one study location, but each has a full research team.

Each clinical trial has a specific “protocol” that describes how it will study the intervention, including how participants will be divided into groups, required site visits, and the health outcomes being measured. For instance, participants may be randomly assigned to the experimental intervention, the current standard intervention, or a placebo. The comparison of data from each group is how safety and effectiveness is measured.

Children are eligible for trials that have been designed specifically for them. For greater protection, regulations and ethical standards for these studies are more rigid. Since the bodies of children are still developing, they can react differently to interventions and it’s important to study and understand the differences. In addition, there are many conditions that only affect children.

Not all trials pay participants, but some do compensate for travel, time, and commitment. The amount varies.

Due to the many differences in insurance plans across the country, coverage in clinical trials can vary. You will learn more about your options during pre-trial screening.