What questions should I ask before I participate in a clinical trial?

Before agreeing to join a clinical trial, it is important that you ask questions to make sure you understand all aspects of the trial and your role as a participant. You may want to consider taking a friend or relative along with you when you talk to the research team.

It is also recommended that you speak with your primary care doctor or family doctor about your interest in clinical trial participation.  It is important that your primary care doctor know what sort of trial you will be participating in and what treatment you will be given, so that they can make sure the trial treatment does not interfere with your standard care.  You should ask how the research team will communicate with your primary care doctor during and after the trial.

Below are questions to ask the research team before enrolling in a clinical trial:

• What is the main purpose of this study? 
• Does the study involve a placebo or a treatment that is already on the market? 
• How will I be assigned a treatment and will I learn my treatment assignment? 
• How will the treatment be given to me? 
• How long is the study going to last and what will I be asked to do as a participant? 
• What has been learned about the study treatment and are any study results published? 
• Do I have to pay for any part of the study? Will my insurance cover these costs? 
• Is there any reimbursement for travel costs or childcare? 
• Will I be able to see my own doctor and can I share the data from the trial with my doctor? 
• If the treatment works for me, can I keep using it after the study? 
• Can anyone find out whether I’m participating in the clinical trial? 
• Will I receive any follow-up care after the study has ended? 
• What will happen to my medical care if I stop participating in the study? 
• Does the physician/investigator have any financial or special interest in the clinical study? 
• What are the credentials and research experience of the physician and study staff? 
• When and how will the results of the clinical trial be provided to me? 

Clinical trial participants and people who are considering participating usually have even more questions about clinical trials.