Patient ResourcesDraft5 min read
Draft for editorial review
A reviewed draft that turns questions from the original guide into a dedicated checklist-style post.
Questions to Ask Before Joining a Clinical Trial
Draft dated 5 April 2026 by the TrialConnect team
Start with the purpose
- What is this trial trying to find out?
- Why might this trial be relevant to my condition or treatment stage?
- Is the trial testing a treatment, a test, monitoring, supportive care, or something else?
- What would my care look like if I did not join?
Understand the treatment or intervention
- What treatment, test, or procedure would I receive?
- Is there randomisation, and what are the possible groups?
- Could I receive placebo, standard care, or no additional treatment?
- What side effects or burdens are already known?
Check the practical commitment
- How many appointments are expected?
- Which visits must happen at the trial site?
- Will I need extra scans, blood tests, biopsies, questionnaires, or hospital stays?
- Are travel costs, parking, accommodation, or time off work covered?
Ask about safety and support
- Who should I contact if I feel unwell?
- How are side effects reported and managed?
- Will my usual consultant or GP be kept informed?
- What happens if the trial is stopped early?
Clarify data and privacy
Trials collect health information, and some may collect samples. The patient information sheet should explain what is collected, who can access it, how it is protected, and whether anonymised data may be shared for future research.
Draft note for Joe: align this section with final privacy and data-handling language before publication.
Suggested next step
Save the questions that matter most to you and bring them to your next appointment or trial call.
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