Almost anyone, regardless of their background can participate in a clinical trial.

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

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 investigational therapies and additional care and attention from the clinical trial staff.

Yes, most trials offer compensation.

Most studies offer payment for participants’ travel and time. 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.

At Patient First Clinical Trials, we are transparent about study requirements and potential compensation — you can ask about study compensation during your phone screening or during your in-office screening.

It depends on the study.

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.