Questions to Ask Your Doctor

While meeting with the clinical trial doctor, also called an investigator, study volunteers should feel free to ask any questions or bring up any concerns about participating in a clinical trial. PPD also encourages them to consider taking a family member or a friend along for support and help.

The following questions might help in talking with a clinical trial investigator.

General Questions Regarding the Clinical Trial

• What is the purpose of the clinical trial?
• Why do researchers think the investigational treatment may be effective?
• Who is paying for the trial?
• Who has reviewed and approved the trial?
• How is the safety of volunteers protected?
• How long does the trial last?
• What are volunteers’ responsibilities?

Questions about Possible Clinical Trial Risks and Benefits

• What benefits are possible in the short term?
• What benefits are possible in the long term?
• What are the short-term risks, such as side effects?
• Are there any possible long-term risks?

Questions about Participation and Care During a Clinical Trial

• What types of therapies, procedures and/or tests do volunteers have during the clinical trial?
• Are there any painful or unpleasant treatments? If so, how long will they last?
• How do the tests in the trial compare with the standard tests for this condition?
• Will volunteers be able to take their regular medications while participating in the clinical trial?
• Where do study volunteers have their medical care?
• Who is in charge of volunteers’ care during the trial?

Questions about Clinical Trial Volunteer Personal Issues

• How could participation affect volunteers’ daily life (positive/negative effects)?
• Are volunteers allowed to talk to other clinical trial participants or other people, such as family members or friends, about the trial?

Questions about Clinical Trial Costs

• Do volunteers have to pay for anything related to the clinical trial, such as medical tests or drugs? If so, what are the charges likely to be?
• Is health insurance likely to cover any of the costs related to the trial? What if a volunteer doesn’t have health insurance?
• Are there any travel or child care costs that volunteers need to consider while involved in the trial?

Additional Questions Regarding the Clinical Trial

• How many volunteers are participating in the clinical trial?
• Will volunteers be told about the trial results?
• Who has access to volunteers’ medical records?
• Does a volunteer’s regular doctor know about the trial participation?
• Can volunteers leave the trial if they want to?
• What happens if a volunteer experiences a side effect?
• Who can volunteers contact in case of an emergency?
• Is there anything volunteers are not allowed to do during the trial?

This list is based on information from the National Cancer Institute.