Questions to ask your doctor about clinical trials

There's a lot to think about if you're deciding whether or not to take part in a clinical trial, and some of the information can be a bit hard to understand.

Asking questions can help you to understand more about clinical trials and to decide if a trial is right for you. 

Tips 

• Write down any questions you have before you go to your appointment.
• Bring someone with you, if possible - they can help you to remember what the doctor or nurse says. 
• Bring a notebook and write down the answers to your questions.
• If you don't understand something, ask the doctor or nurse to explain again.

Questions about clinical trials

• What does the trial hope to find out?
• What is the evidence for the trial?
• Will the trial cost me any money?
• What is the trial called?
• What treatment will I get?
• What is the difference between the trial treatment and standard treatment?
• What are the side effects of the trial treatment?
• What are the benefits of taking part?
• What are the risks of taking part?
• How many patients are taking part in this trial?
• What is expected of me during the trial?
• How long will my treatment take?
• Will I have many extra visits in comparison to the standard treatment?
• Where will I get my treatment? Will I be in the same hospital and have the same doctors?
• When will the trial results be available?
• What will happen if I want to stop the trial treatment?
• What treatment will I have if I do not want to take part in the trial?