FAQ

People from all over the world participate in clinical trials to help themselves and others improve their quality of life.

Every clinical trial attempts to answer specific research questions concerning our health and quality of life. To do this, each trial has certain requirements about a participant’s medication, age, and current and past health history. In order to be an eligible participant of a particular trial, you must meet the requirements.

Joining a clinical trial is entirely voluntary, and your care and questions are supported every step of the way. The research team will provide ongoing information throughout the consent process and keep you informed of any new developments during the study.  

You’ll learn the purpose of the trial, what researchers hope to discover, and the potential risks and benefits involved. If you choose not to participate, your decision will be respected without question, and you’ll continue to receive the same quality medical care as anyone else. 

Clinical research is one of the ways the medical world looks for better or new ways of treating illness and disease. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all medications be thoroughly evaluated and tested for safety and effectiveness before your doctor can prescribe them. 

Clinical trials are part of this testing process. A clinical trial is a partnership between doctors, participants, study sponsors, and the FDA to study the safety and effectiveness of a study medication. In a clinical trial, information is collected from participants who are treated with study medications and then reported to the sponsor and the FDA.

A clinical trial is a carefully designed study that tests new medications, procedures, diagnostic tools, or treatment approaches to determine whether their benefits outweigh the risks. Health professionals rely on evidence from clinical trials to identify the safest and most effective treatments.  

Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of their fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.  

Participating in a clinical trial is much like a regular visit to a doctor’s office, hospital, or medical clinic. Participants are treated professionally and with care.

During a clinical trial, study medication is administered to the participant. Also, tests and procedures are performed according to a research protocol, which has detailed guidelines that the research staff and physicians are to follow. The research protocol is designed by the study sponsor to measure the effectiveness and safety of the study medication or procedures.

The research team will keep you informed and answer your questions throughout the consent process and ongoing. If any new information arises during the trial, they’ll share it with you so you can reconsider your participation.

The research team closely monitors your health, tracks how your body responds, and gathers data to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. Throughout the process, your well-being is the top priority, and you can ask questions or withdraw at any time. 

Participant safety is the number one priority of any study.

Each participant is given an informed consent form to sign that describes the most common risk for the medication being studied and the potential benefits of participating in the study. The consent form includes details about the study, such as its purpose, duration, required procedures and staff contact information. The informed consent form also describes the key facts about the clinical trial to assist you in deciding whether or not to participate in the study.

It is also a continuing process throughout the study to provide information for participants. You will be able to discuss the informed consent with the research staff. They will help you fully understand the risks and potential benefits of participating in the study and your rights as a research participant.

Your medical condition will be monitored throughout the study by experienced research staff and physicians. 

Participation in a clinical trial is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.

Clinical trials are closely monitored to protect participants and ensure ethical, safe research. Oversight begins with an Ethics Committee or Institutional Review Board (IRB) — a diverse panel that may include medical professionals, lawyers, business leaders, and everyday citizens. These committees are strictly regulated by the FDA and government agencies to prevent coercion, safeguard vulnerable populations, and ensure that compensation doesn’t unduly influence participation. They review study protocols, validate the credentials of research teams, and confirm that informed consent materials clearly explain risks, benefits, and the purpose of the trial.  

At the research site level, protocols are also approved by medical personnel such as physicians, nurses, study coordinators, and sometimes a local IRB, all working together to uphold participant safety and research integrity.

Participating in a clinical trial offers meaningful benefits — both personal and far-reaching. You may receive compensation for your time, travel, and other expenses, and all necessary exams, procedures, lab work, and medications are typically provided at no cost.  

Trials can offer access to promising new treatments, especially if standard options haven’t worked, and you’ll be closely monitored by medical professionals throughout.  

Beyond the medical care, your involvement contributes to a greater cause — helping researchers discover better therapies that could benefit someone you love, and possibly even your future self. It’s a chance to learn, to serve, and to make a lasting impact. 

Without clinical trials, we face serious gaps in medical progress — especially for communities that have long been underrepresented in research. For minority populations, this means fewer tailored treatments, limited understanding of disease patterns, and unknown risks or benefits of therapies.  

For the general population, it means stalled innovation, fewer options, and no clear path forward when standard treatments fail. Clinical trials are how we discover what works, for whom, and why — without them, we lose the opportunity to offer hope, healing, and a future of better care for ourselves and those we love. 

Your privacy is protected throughout the clinical trial. Personal identifiers like your name will not appear in any reports, and all records and collected information are kept strictly confidential. 

Researchers use randomization codes so your identity remains private outside the clinical site. If another doctor or consultant is involved in your care, they can only be informed of your participation with your permission, typically indicated in the consent form. If compensation exceeds $600, a Social Security Number is required for tax reporting, but amounts below that are not reportable. 

Joining a clinical trial does not replace your personal doctor. You’ll continue to see your regular physician for all non-study-related medical needs and are encouraged to discuss your participation with them.  

At your request, our research team can keep your doctor informed about your involvement, ensuring coordinated care and open communication throughout the study.