In what are the benefits and risks of participating in a clinical trial?
Benefits Clinical trials that are well-designed and well-executed are the best treatment approach for eligible participants to: Play an active role in their own health care. Gain access to new research treatments before the treatments are widely available. Obtain expert medical care at leading health care facilities during the trial. Help others by contributing to medical research. Risks There are risks to participating in a clinical trial. There may be unpleasant, serious or even life-threatening side effects to treatment. The treatment may not be effective for the participant. The protocol may require more of the participant’s time and attention than would a non-protocol treatment, including trips to the study site, more treatments, hospital stays or complex dosage requirements.
