How to join a clinical trial
Now that you’ve learned a bit more about clinical trials, you might be interested in enrolling. But what does that involve? Before you choose to enroll in a clinical trial, you’ll want to know more about what you can expect from the process.
Find clinical trials
There are many ways to search for clinical trials online, including websites managed by the National Institutes of Health, non-profit organizations that focus on specific diseases, and research hospitals and universities.
PAN Foundation makes finding a clinical trial easy with our TrialFinder tool. You can search our up-to-date listing of thousands of clinical trials and call us for help, there’s no charge, at 1-855-329-5969. You can even sign up to get emails that tell you when new trials of interest to you are added.
Talk to your doctor
Your healthcare provider may be able to help you determine if a clinical trial is the right choice for you. They may be able to help you find a clinical trial based on your diagnosis. Your provider can help you understand eligibility criteria, what you learn during the pre-screening, and offer advice about good questions to ask the clinical trial team. Use our helpful guide of questions to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
Let the study know you are interested
When you find a clinical trial that could be a good option, you should reach out to the trial team. Whether you’re using our convenient TrialFinder tool or ClinicalTrials.gov, there will be contact information listed for the clinical trial for those who are interested. Depending on the clinical trial, you may be asked to:
- Contact a trial site directly by email or phone
- Contact a call center that can answer your questions and put you in touch with a trial site
- Answer some questions online to find out if the trial might be right for you
- Submit a form online asking the trial team to contact you
You won’t need to commit to anything. But you can let the team know you’re interested. They can talk with you about the clinical trial and answer your questions. If it seems like the trial might be right for you, they can set up a pre-screening visit.
Ask the trial team questions
Before you enroll, you need to know exactly what the clinical trial is about. You need to know what to expect if you enroll and what will be expected of you. And then the trial team needs to find out if you meet all requirements for participating in the clinical trial. As part of pre-screening and screening, you will:
- Learn about the clinical trial
- Have the chance to ask any questions you may have about the trial
- Sign an informed consent form
- Undergo screening assessments that may include medical tests and procedures
At the end of this process, the team will let you know if you can enroll in the clinical trial. If you can’t enroll, they’ll tell you why. And they’ll talk with you about other options. Get a printable list of questions to guide your discussion with the trial team.
Prepare for joining a clinical trial
As you are thinking about a clinical trial, learn as much as you can to know how a clinical trial works, write down any questions you have, and talk with your doctor about the decision. Our guide to preparing for a clinical trial also helps you think about who can help you with day-to-day logistics like childcare, transportation, or possibly taking time away from work or other commitments.
Enrolling in a clinical trial
The trial team will walk you through the process for enrolling. Most of the work will be done by the team. Depending on the clinical trial, the team may:
- Provide you with resources to support your participation in the clinical trial (for example, reimbursement information, visit schedule, participation guide)
- Schedule your trial visits
- Assign you to a trial group
After you’re enrolled into the clinical trial, you can talk with the trial team at any time about concerns you may have. You can ask them questions at visits or between visits. The trial team will fully support you during your journey. They will make your health the priority. And if you change your mind and want to leave the trial, you can withdraw your consent at any time, for any reason.
Guides to review and download
Talk to your doctor about clinical trials
A guide to questions you can ask your healthcare provider, including a printable list to take to your appointment.
Questions to ask the trial team
Get a printable list of questions to guide your discussion with the trial team.
Steps to prepare for enrolling in a trial
Get ready to take the next step in your clinical trial journey with this detailed guide.
Find a clinical trial
PAN’s TrialFinder site makes it easy to search for clinical trials based on your condition and location.
Call us for help
Our ComPANion Access Navigators can answer your questions and help you use our trial finder.
1-855-329-5969
Stay connected
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