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Questions to ask
Questions to ask before joining a clinical trial
A checklist you can bring to your care team and the study team. Save the ones that matter to you and add your own.
ClinicalMatchMate helps organize public clinical trial and condition-resource information in plain language. It does not diagnose, recommend treatment, guarantee eligibility, or replace conversations with a clinician or research team.
Last updated: June 4, 2026 · Educational use only
About the study.
Start with what the study is trying to learn and what taking part would involve. There are no wrong questions.
- What is this study trying to find out?
- What treatment, test, or approach is being studied?
- What phase is the trial, and what does that mean here?
- How long is the study, and how many visits would it involve?
- Will I know which group I'm in, or could I receive a placebo?
- What happens to my usual treatment if I take part?
Risks & benefits.
A study cannot promise benefit. Understanding the possible risks and what's already known helps you weigh it with your clinician.
- What are the possible risks or side effects?
- What are the possible benefits — and what is realistic to expect?
- What is already known about this treatment's safety?
- How will my health be monitored during the study?
- What happens if I'm harmed or feel worse during the study?
- Can I leave the study at any time, and what happens if I do?
Logistics & cost.
Practical details often decide whether a trial fits your life. Ask about time, travel, and money up front.
- Where would visits happen, and how often?
- Can any visits or tests be done closer to home or remotely?
- Will the study cover the cost of study-related care?
- Could I owe anything out of pocket, and will my insurance be billed?
- Is travel, parking, or lodging reimbursed?
- Who do I contact between visits if I have a question or problem?
Your rights & next steps.
Joining a study is voluntary and is a process — not a single signature. These questions help protect that.
- Who reviewed and approved this study?
- How will my privacy and data be handled?
- Can I take the consent form home to think it over or share it with family?
- Who confirms whether this trial is right for me?
- What are my other options if I don't join?
- Can I talk to someone who has been in a trial before?
Frequently asked questions.
Do I have to decide right away?
Can I leave a trial after I join?
Will being in a trial cost me money?
Who decides if a trial is right for me?
Sources & review.
Written in plain language by ClinicalMatchMate and grounded in public guidance. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
This page is educational and is not medical advice. Trial details can change and should be verified with the trial site or study team. Final eligibility and appropriateness are confirmed only by the study team.