Your guide to clinical trials

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests whether a medical approach—such as a drug, device, or procedure—is safe and effective in people. The volunteers in these trials, who can be healthy or have a specific illness, are essential partners in this process.

Curious how new medicines are developed?

Before a new treatment can be given to the public, it must be carefully tested. Clinical trials are the way we do this. This short video provides a simple guide to clinical trials, explaining how they work, why they are essential, and the crucial role volunteers play in advancing medicine for everyone. Watch how clinical trials work.

Your experience as a participant

If you're thinking about joining a clinical trial, here's what you can expect:

Pre-screening

You will learn about the trial's purpose, the treatment being studied, potential risks and benefits, and what you'll need to do.

Informed consent

You will get a document that explains everything you need to know to make an informed decision. The clinical trial team will go over it with you and answer all your questions. This is the step where you can choose whether or not to join the trial.

Screening

The research team will review your medical history and may do some tests to make sure the trial is a good fit for you.

Enrollment and participation

If you qualify, you'll start the trial. The team will give you detailed instructions about your visits and what's expected of you. Your health and safety will be closely monitored throughout the trial.

End of the trial

When the trial is over, you may meet with your regular doctor to discuss what's next for your care. You might also get check-ins from the study team to see how you are doing.

Who is involved in a clinical trial?

You will meet several people during a clinical trial. Here are a few of the key players:

You, the participant

Volunteering to take part in the trial.

Clinical research team and site

Doctors, nurses, coordinators who manage day-to-day operation and the hospital, clinic, or research center where the study will take place.

Principal Investigator

The doctor who leads the trial at the research site.

Clinical Research Coordinator

This person helps make sure the trial runs smoothly every day. They work closely with the principal investigator to follow the study plan and keep everything safe, organized, and on track.

Sponsor

The company or organization that is developing the treatment and funding the trial.

Your safety and rights

Your safety is the top priority in any clinical trial. Here are some of the safeguards in place:

Informed
consent

This process ensures you have all the information you need to make a choice that's right for you.

Ethics review committee or institutional review board

This group reviews every study to make sure it’s conducted safely and fairly. They weigh the possible risks against the potential benefits to protect people who take part.

You can leave
at any time