A Trial Participant’s Journey

Participating in a clinical trial is completely voluntary. Since it's a significant commitment, you'll receive detailed information about the trial's process, potential risks and benefits, and specific requirements to help you decide if a trial is right for you. At this point, you'll also be assessed to see if you fit the criteria for the trial.

To help clinical research, it’s important that participants complete the clinical trial as more robust information is generated. However, if at any point during the course of the clinical trial, you no longer wish to participate, you are free to leave, and this will not affect the health care you usually receive.

Here's what to expect if you're considering joining a clinical trial:

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Preliminary discussion 

The process starts by checking if you meet the minimum requirements and ensuring you're able to make a well-informed decision about participating. The study team will schedule a meeting to discuss your potential involvement. They'll provide detailed information about the trial, including its purpose, potential benefits and risks, how long you'll be involved, and an overview of the procedures. No tests will be carried out in this step.

Not everyone qualifies for a trial, and you might not proceed if you don't meet specific criteria. This careful selection ensures the safety of the research for all participants.

Consent

If you pre-qualify and decide to join the study, you'll sign an informed consent form. This document confirms that you understand what participation entails and outlines your rights and responsibilities, including the freedom to withdraw from the study at any time (which will not impact the health care you usually receive).

Screening

During the screening process, researchers will review your medical history and perform specific tests to confirm you meet all necessary criteria. This evaluation ensures that it's safe and suitable for you to participate based on your condition and the study's requirements.

Participation

If you pass this step, you can start participating in the trial. The research team will give you detailed instructions on your responsibilities at home, how often you need to visit the trial center and what to expect during each visit, including physical exams, questionnaires, and other procedures. Your health and safety will be closely monitored throughout the study.

After Participation 

If you have the condition being studied, once the trial ends, you’ll discuss further care options with your regular healthcare provider. Depending on the study and in accordance with local regulations, you might have the opportunity to continue using the drug after the trial. If you’re a healthy volunteer, your involvement ends with the trial. Note that researchers may end trials early based on factors like preliminary results or safety concerns.

Once the clinical trial has been completed for all participants, you may be interested in seeing the results. There are a number of ways you can learn about study results: public databases, articles in scientific journals and summary for participants and general public. You may find some of them within this platform Learn more about our policy.

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Parents and Caregivers: What Lies Ahead

Children respond to medications differently than adults. Not only is this diversity important for understanding drug efficacy and safety across demographics, but it’s also often required to meet pediatric regulatory standards.

Making healthcare decisions for children is a sensitive matter. While the reasons and steps for enrolling a child in a clinical study are similar to those for adults, the emotional stakes are understandably higher. When families are considering this path, researchers will thoroughly explain all aspects of the study, including the nature of the intervention, potential benefits and risks, necessary procedures, and the study’s expected duration. When deciding to participate in a clinical trial, parents or caregivers must sign an informed consent form. Depending on the child’s age, they might also need to sign one. This ensures everyone understands and agrees to the terms of participation, offering peace of mind as this important decision is made for the child’s health and future.

Throughout the trial, doctors, nurses, and research staff will closely monitor the child’s health, providing ongoing support and addressing any concerns . When the trial ends, they’ll work with the family to ensure the child receives appropriate continued care.

Investment of Time and Resources

Due to the wide variety of drugs and conditions studied, clinical trials have varying timelines. Before deciding to participate, the study team will outline how long the study will last. Participation could last from a few months to a few years, depending on the condition being studied, the drug’s administration period, and the study’s requirements. It’s worth remembering, participants can leave a clinical trial at any time.

Participants don’t have out-of-pocket expenses for the drugs received in a clinical trial. Participants may be reimbursed for travel and compensated for their participation in a clinical trial when permitted by local regulations. For detailed information about financial support please speak directly with the site study team .