Joining a clinical trial is a personal choice, and it’s yours to make.
As a healthy participant, your own health will not benefit from your participation in a study. The results of a study will lead to new understanding of the effect of a study medicine and may be of great importance for the development of medicines and treatments that may benefit future patients. Clinical trials follow clear steps to help protect participants and to learn whether a study medicine or vaccine is safe. Clinical trials would not be possible without the people who take part, and we are committed to supporting every participant along the way.
Step-by-step guide to joining a clinical trial
An overview of what usually happens during a clinical trial
Pre-screening
If the clinical trial seems like a good fit, you may be asked a few questions about your health in a short online form or over the phone. This initial screening process is called pre-screening. Your responses help the recruitment team with an early look at whether the clinical trial might be right for you.
If your answers show you might be a good match, someone from the recruitment team will contact you to talk about the next steps. If your answers indicate that you may not be eligible for this study, you can always search for other clinical trials that might be a better fit on our website or contact the study team directly.
Informed consent
Before joining a clinical trial, the study doctor will review an Informed Consent Form with you. This document explains the purpose of the study, what will happen, possible risks, and your rights as a participant. You can ask as many questions as you want. Signing out the form means you understand the information and agree to take part in the study, if you are eligible.
Screening
After you give consent, the clinical staff may do medical tests like blood work, or other health checks to confirm you meet the requirements for the clinical trial (also called eligibility). These steps help keep you safe and ensure the study collects appropriate information. Not everyone who is screened will be eligible to participate in the study, and that’s okay—you can always ask about other clinical trials.
Joining the clinical trial
If you are eligible to participate in the study and have given consent, you will be officially enrolled in the study.
Study participation
During this part of the clinical trial, participants follow the study plan. This may include receiving study treatment(s), attending study visits, or completing tests or surveys. The clinical team will be able to share more about the schedule of activities to help you keep track.
In some clinical trials, the study team will stay in touch for a while after the study's treatment period ends to check on your health and gather any final information. This may include phone calls or follow‑up visits. These check‑ins help researchers better understand long‑term effects.
