Your clinical trial experience
If you’re considering a clinical trial, chances are you have a lot of questions. What’s it like to go through a clinical trial? Are clinical trials safe? Where can I learn more? How do I find a clinical trial that’s right for me or my loved one?
A typical clinical journey
Finding the right clinical trial
The choice to join a clinical trial is a deeply personal one. Only you can make that decision. But that doesn’t mean you need to be on your own as you decide what to do. We hope the resources on this site help guide you in your journey.
However, there are many others who can help along the way:
- Your healthcare provider can help you discuss the pros and cons for your health. Use our guide of questions to ask your provider when you meet with them.
- Your family and friends can also help you think about how a clinical trial might affect your home or work life.
- Local advocacy groups can help you find and understand clinical trials that might be options for you.
- The trial team will explain the trial and answer your questions to help you make an informed choice.
Watch our video to see three examples of patient journeys through a clinical trial.
Careful screening begins with questions
Clinical trials have “rules” about who is a good match to participate based on the research questions they are trying to answer. These rules are known as eligibility criteria, and they are different for each clinical trial. Criteria can be related to safety, age, diagnosis, health conditions, and previous treatments someone has had.
As part of pre-screening, the trial team will review important criteria with you. You may not know for sure if you meet all the criteria until after a screening process.
Before that happens, you will be able to learn about the clinical trial, including:
- The purpose of the clinical trial
- Tests and procedures that will be done
- Your responsibilities in the trial
- Potential risks and benefits
- Your rights as a participant
After the trial team explains this information to you, they will give you time to ask questions. Then, they will provide you with an informed consent form with these details and more. You’ll need to read this form carefully. If you choose to join the clinical trial, you give consent by signing the form.
If you may be unable to give consent based on your physical or mental condition, a legally authorized representative (LAR) acts on your behalf. This is someone designated by a legal authority to make healthcare decisions in your best interest.
Watch our video to understand pre-screening.
Finding out if you are eligible to enroll
If you sign the informed consent form, you’ll start the screening process. This is done to find out if the clinical trial is right for you. As part of this process, the trial team may:
- Ask you about yourself and your health
- Review your medical records
- Perform medical procedures on you (such as a physical exam and collection of blood and urine samples for testing)
The trial team will review the results to find out if you meet all the criteria to be in the trial. If you meet the criteria, you can choose enroll. You won’t be required to enroll; it is still your decision to move forward and participate.
Watch our video about how screening works.
Meeting with the clinical trial team
In most clinical trials, you’ll have scheduled visits with the clinical trial team. These visits are a key part of a clinical trial. They often include procedures to help the trial team assess your health and collect research data. Visits can also be an ideal time to talk with the trial team and ask questions.
How often you visit will be based on the design of the trial. You will not have to pay for visits with the trial team. Tests and procedures required as part of the trial will be provided at no cost to you. Most clinical trials will also reimburse you for certain expenses related to your visits.
Watch our video about visits with your clinical trial team.
Moving forward after a clinical trial
You might wonder what happens when you complete a clinical trial. The answer depends on the design of the trial. It can also depend on the results.
After some clinical trials, you may return to the care of your regular healthcare providers. After other clinical trials, you may have the chance to continue getting the potential treatment if it has been working for you. The trial team will explain your options. The trial team will provide support to you at all times during the trial.
After a Phase 3 trial is complete, the FDA reviews the results. They decide if the trial showed that the potential treatment is safe and effective. Based on their findings, the FDA may approve the treatment for use with people who are not in a trial. Or they could decide more research is needed.
Watch our video about what happens after a clinical trial is complete.
Patient stories
Thousands of people participate in clinical trials each year in the United States. We asked some of them to share their stories here. As you consider your options, we hope their stories offer empowering perspectives.
My experience with this clinical trial was very positive. I had the research team. They were very helpful. They gave me information that I needed even when I didn’t know what was coming next.
— Affoussata, from New York, NY
Test your knowledge
What should I learn next?
Who makes clinical trials happen?
It takes a lot of people and teams working together to run a clinical trial. Learn about each essential role.
How to join a clinical trial
Learn about enrolling in a clinical trial and how to ask for help with the process.
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
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