About clinical studies
What to expect
Clinical studies are any studies that involve people.
There are two main types:
Observational
Researchers track health status
over time in groups of participants
to look for patterns that help us
better understand a disease
Interventional
Participants receive specific
treatment such as a new
medication or behavioral
changes, like diet.
Steps to begin
1: Find a trial
2: Talk to your doctor
3: Determine eligibility
4: Learn about the study
5: Sign forms
6: Make it happen
Good questions to ask about all clinical studies:
- Why is the study being done?
- How many different hospitals are involved in the study
- Who is supporting the study?
(such as the NIH or a drug company) - How do I know if I am eligible?
- How long will the study last?
- What will happen to me when I'm in the study?
- Will I need to miss school or work if I join the study?
- How often will I have to come in for visits?
- Can the study be combined with the regular visits
to my kidney doctor? - Will the study pay for travel, parking, or my time?
- Will I get to know the results of the study?
Additional questions about interventional studies:
- Is this the right time to think about changing treatments
for my kidney disease? - What is the treatment?
- Does my doctor think I would benefit from being
in the study and why? - Are there side effects of the medication or
any other risks in being in the study? - Does everyone in the study get the treatment or are some
patients assigned to no treatment? (often called placebo) - Can I continue with the treatment when the study ends?