Frequently Asked Questions

What is a clinical trial?

A research study involving human volunteers (also called participants) that is intended to add to medical knowledge. Participants are assigned to groups that receive one or more intervention/treatment (or no intervention) so that researchers can evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or health-related outcomes. The assignments are determined by the study’s protocol. Participants may receive diagnostic, therapeutic, or other types of interventions.

Who can participate in clinical trials?

Clinical research offers a way for almost anyone — regardless of their age, ethnicity, or background — to help improve human health and wellbeing.

Healthy volunteers often participate to help others and contribute to moving science forward.

Participants with an illness or disease join studies to help others, but also to possibly receive the newest treatment and additional care and attention from the clinical trial staff.

What are the potential risks or benefits?

Every effort is made to ensure the participant’s safety during a study. The ethics and laws that govern medical practice also apply to clinical trials. However, clinical trials involve investigational products that could be ineffective or cause serious side effects.

Clinical trials are overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Clinical trials also follow strict plans called protocols, which are reviewed by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to make sure patient rights are protected.

Each study is different, but the informed consent process ensures you understand what will happen. You’ll learn about the product being studied, your role in the trial, potential side effects, and the visits required. In some studies, you may receive an inactive placebo.

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What is a protocol?

The protocol is a document that describes how a clinical trial will be conducted (the objective(s), design, methodology, statistical considerations and organization of a clinical trial,) and ensures the safety of the trial subjects and integrity of the data collected.

What is informed consent?

Informed consent is a process of communication between you and your health care provider that often leads to agreement or permission for care, treatment, or services. Evey patient has the right to get information and ask questions before procedures and treatments. If adult patients are mentally able to make their own decisions, medical care cannot begin unless they give informed consent. 

The informed consent process makes sure that your health care provider has given you information about your condition along with testing and treatment options before you decide what to do.

Do I get paid for participating in a clinical trial?

Most CRP studies offer payment for study-related time and travel . The amount paid varies for every study. Studies often require several visits, each of which can involve payment.

The amount paid for participating differs among studies and depends on complexity, length of the trial, number of visits, etc.

CRP is transparent about study requirements and potential compensation — you can ask about study compensation during your first phone call with CRP, or you can ask during your in-office screening.