Talk with your doctor about clinical trials
If you’re thinking about joining a clinical trial, talking with a healthcare provider is a good first step.
Use this list of questions when you visit your healthcare provider
You don’t need a referral to join a clinical trial. But your healthcare provider may be able to help you learn more about clinical trials, what would be a good match for your health condition, and how the process works. We created a list of questions to help you start a conversation with your doctor.
- What are clinical trials and how do they work?
- Do you know of any trials that might be a good fit for me?
- How do I find out if I qualify to join a trial?
- What medical treatment will I have in a trial?
- Will it cost me anything to join a clinical trial?
- What are the good things about being in a clinical trial?
- Who makes sure a trial is safe?
- Are there any possible problems, risks, or side effects from being in a clinical trial, and how will the trial team help me deal with them?
- How long does a regular clinical trial take, and how many times will I have to go to the clinic or research place?
- Can I bring someone with me to trial visits?
- Can I still get care from my regular healthcare provider while I’m in a trial?
- Who will see my medical records if I join a trial?
- Who else will know I am in a trial?
- What if I don’t like being in a trial after I start?
- What happens after a trial ends?
- Are clinical trials safe?