What should patients consider before participating in
a study?
You should know as much as possible about the clinical study before deciding to participate. To this goal, you should contact a healthcare team participating in this study. They will provide you with written information about the study in an informed consent document and discuss the study with you. You should feel comfortable asking questions to members of the healthcare team about the study, and the care you can expect to receive while in a study. The informed consent document provides information about the following:
- 1. What is the purpose of the study?
- 2. Who is going to be in the study?
- 3. Why do researchers believe the experimental treatment being tested may work? Has it been tested before?
- 4. What kinds of tests and experimental treatments are involved?
- 5. How do the possible risks, side effects, and benefits in the study compare with my current treatment?
- 6. How might this trial affect my daily life?
- 7. Will hospitalization be required?
- 8. How will I know that the experimental treatment is working? Will results of the study be provided to me?
- 9. Who will be in charge of my care?
