We believe it is essential for every patient to be fully informed before participating in a clinical trial. The Office of Human Research Protections, a division of the National Institutes of Health, strongly recommends that you ask your physician or research coordinator the following list of questions before you agree to participate in a research study.
- Why is the research being done?
- What will be done to me as part of the research?
- How will I benefit from the research?
- Could the research hurt me?
- What will the researcher do with my information?
- Will the research cost me anything?
- Who pays if I'm unexpectedly injured in the study?
- How long will the study last?
- What happens if I decide to leave the study early?
- Who should I call if I have a question about the research?
A printer friendly version of these questions is also available.