What is a clinical trial?
We at the PAN Foundation have surveyed thousands of people who have said they want to know more. Clinical trials might seem complicated—that’s why we created this guide to explain everything you need to know to talk to your providers and ask more questions.
Clinical research
If you or someone you know faces health challenges, you may have heard about clinical trials. You may have wondered, “What are clinical trials, and how do they help?” If you don’t know that much about clinical trials or haven’t talked to your doctor, you’re not alone!
Clinical research is like a puzzle that scientists and healthcare providers solve together about a disease or a medical treatment. They want to find better ways to help people with different health problems. They study how diseases work and figure out the best ways to keep people healthy.
Clinical trials are an important part of clinical or medical research. In clinical trials, people volunteer to help learn more about health conditions and their treatments. When you join a clinical trial, you help explore potential new medical treatments, medications, or ways to prevent health problems.
Three facts to know about clinical trials
It is your choice to join.
Joining a clinical trial is your choice and clinical studies are based on voluntary participation by patients who meet their criteria. You get to decide if it is something you want to do, and if you change your mind, you can leave at any time.
Safety is a top priority for all.
The people who organize and run clinical trials follow strict rules and guidelines. Your safety is the most important thing they care about.
Inclusive patient participation is important.
Clinical trials should include people from different backgrounds, races, and genders to make sure the results, and any medications or treatments developed, can apply to everyone.
Not sure what a word means?
Some of the terms to describe the clinical trial experience might not be familiar. We created a glossary where you’ll find definitions for terms commonly used in clinical trials.
Reasons people join clinical trials
Each person in a clinical trial can have a different reason for participating, like the ones listed here. You are unique. And your decision to join a trial can be unique as well.
Possible reasons for joining a clinical trial:
- Be part of moving medical research forward to help future patients and future generations.
- Help researchers and healthcare providers find out if a potential treatment works.
- Have more visits with healthcare providers who monitor your health closely.
- Learn more about your disease or health condition.
- Play a more active role in your healthcare.
What should I learn next?
How clinical trials work
Learn how clinical trials are set up, how they work, and understand the different types of trials.
Your clinical trial experience
If you’re thinking about joining a clinical trial, learn about the typical clinical trial journey for patients.
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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