Clinical research studies (also called clinical trials) help scientists and doctors explore if new medical strategies, devices, or drugs are safe and effective for people with certain conditions, disorders, and diseases. What are clinical research studies?
Clinical research studies (also called clinical trials) help scientists and doctors explore if new medical strategies, devices, or drugs are safe and effective for people with certain conditions, disorders, and diseases. Before any drug or device can be approved and made available to the public, it must go through several phases of clinical research. The study may take place at a hospital, clinic, university, or doctor’s office.
What is informed consent?
Before enrolling in a clinical trial, you must sign an Informed Consent Form (ICF). The ICF contains information about the study, including study goals, how long the study will last, benefits and risks, and the tests and procedures you will receive.
What does study participation involve?
Study participation usually involves visiting a clinic regularly, taking or receiving an investigational medicine, and having assessments to monitor your health. You can still see your regular doctor, but you should let them know that you are participating in a study.
Participation in clinical research studies is your choice, and you may stop at any time.
Why do people participate in clinical research studies?
People participate in clinical research studies for different reasons. Some may participate because they want to learn more about their disease. Others volunteer to participate because they want to help researchers learn more about a disease to potentially help them and others in the future.
What if I have questions during the study?
You can ask questions of the study team at any time before, during, and after the study. Before agreeing to participate, the study doctor/staff will help you make sure that you understand what study participation will involve. If you have any concerns about participating in the study, you should feel comfortable discussing them with a member of the study team at any time.
Can I leave the study once it has started?
Study participation is completely voluntary. You do not need to take part in the study, and you can end your participation at any time, for any reason. If you think you would like to stop participating in the study, talk to the study doctor/staff. If you decide you should leave the study early, the study doctor may ask that you return to the study clinic for a final visit to ensure your health and safety, but there will be no negative impact on future care you receive.
Can I see my regular doctor, or other doctors, during the study?
You can visit any doctor to meet your health needs during the study. You should let your study doctor know that you will be seeing another doctor and if any other medication has been prescribed. You should also let your other doctors know that you are participating in a clinical research study.
If you have additional questions about participating in a clinical research study, contact a study clinic near you.
Study Clinic Locations 
