Becoming a Participant in a Clinical Trial

You may have already heard or read about a clinical trial at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and want to learn more about it. Or you may just be starting to explore this option. In either case, you can explore our  list of clinical trials at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center that are currently recruiting for new participants.

Clinical trials have specific guidelines that define who can and who can not participate. Some studies seek participants who have the illness or condition being studied. Others enroll healthy participants. And, some studies are limited to a pre-determined group of people who are asked by researchers to enroll.

The factors that allow someone to participate in a study are called ‘inclusion criteria’ and the factors that disqualify someone from participating are called ‘exclusion criteria’. Some examples of such criteria are age, gender, type of disease, previous treatment history, or other medical conditions. The contact person or study coordinator for a particular study will help determine whether or not you are eligible for participation.

Before signing up for a study, find out as much as you can about it. Every study being done at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center has a contact person. Get in touch with that person and ask for details about the study. You should receive information such as

  • A description and purpose of the study
  • The name of the study sponsor
  • Specific details about who is eligible to participate
  • The length of the study
  • What procedures, appointments and tests are required as part of the study

To review Frequently Asked Questions that apply to general clinical research, click here

If you are considering a particular clinical trial, here are some suggestions of questions you might want to ask the study team:

  • What is the study trying to find out?
  • What kinds of tests and exams will I have while I’m in the study? How much time will each one take?
  • What is involved with each one?
  • Has this drug/device/procedure been tested before? What information was learned?
  • Will everyone on the study receive the same treatment? If not, how will it be determined which treatment I will receive?
  • How often will I need to see the doctor and/or come to the hospital?
  • Will participating cost me anything? Will my health insurance pay for it?
  • What side effects can I expect from the treatment being tested? How do they compare with the side effects of standard (non-study) treatment?
  • What other options do I have? Are there other treatment options I should consider?
  • How long will the study last? What will happen at the end of the study?
  • What if I decide to participate but later change my mind and no longer want to participate?

If you have specific questions or concerns, contact the research coordinator or study contact for that study. In addition, talk it over with your primary care physician and family or friends, and weigh the potential risks and benefits.

How Do I Join a Particular Study?

To become a participant, follow these steps:

  1. Call or email the study coordinator or contact person. He or she will give you an overall description of the study and be able to ask you preliminary questions to see if you meet the eligibility criteria.
  2. Set up an appointment to meet with the doctor in charge of the study, or with other members of the study team. If you appear to meet the preliminary criteria and are interested in the study, he/she may set up an appointment for you to meet with the principal investigator (PI), or physician in charge of the study.
  3. If you are eligible, meet with the doctor in charge of the study and sign a special agreement called an “Informed Consent” form. This document shows that you have been given all complete information about the study and you understand it. The Informed Consent form is NOT a contract – you can leave the study at any time, for any reason.
  4. If required, take additional tests to determine if you are eligible to participate. Once the results are evaluated, you will be told if you qualify for the study
  5. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you have entered the study and will be asked to return for follow-up study visits and/or testing, per the study outline. Set up an appointment schedule with the study coordinator, who will be your guide throughout your time on study.

It is your decision

Before you decide to become a participant in a research study, you need to gather information.

  • Know what you are getting into
  • Ask questions – lots of them
  • Learn as much as you can
  • Know the pros and cons of participating

To learn more about Research Participant’s Bill of Rights, click here

Important Points to Remember

  • Clinical trials are tests of medical treatments – drugs, devices, or procedures – to see if they are safe and if they work.
  • Before you agree to take part in a study you must be given complete information about the study.
  • You should ask lots of questions to be sure you understand the study.
  • You must sign an Informed Consent document before taking part in the study.
  • It’s your choice.