What Happens During a Clinical Trial?
The clinical trial process depends on the kind of trial being conducted. The clinical trial team includes doctors and nurses as well as social workers and other health care professionals. They check the health of the participant at the beginning of the trial, give specific instructions for participating in the trial, monitor the participant carefully during the trial, and stay in touch after the trial is completed. Some clinical trials involve more tests and doctor visits than the participant would normally have for an illness or condition. For all types of trials, the participant works with a research team. Clinical trial participation is most successful when the protocol is carefully followed and there is frequent contact with the research staff.
At the beginning of a trial, the research team—including doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals—checks the person’s health and tells them everything they need to know about participating. The health check may involve a physical exam and screening tests. People found eligible for the trial and agree to participate are asked to sign an Informed Consent Form to become enrolled. The research team continues to check the participant’s health carefully during the trial and for a period of time after the trial is over. Some clinical trials require more tests and doctors visits than usual. It is important to the success of the trial that participants do everything expected of them and stay in close touch with the research team.
