Questions to ask a study team

Confirm eligibility before planning travel

Before arranging appointments or travel, ask which records the study team needs to review and whether your diagnosis, stage, treatment history, and biomarkers fit the trial.

Ask whether there are time-sensitive requirements, such as recent scans, lab windows, washout periods, or treatment start dates.

Understand the visit schedule

Trial participation can include screening visits, treatment visits, follow-up calls, imaging, bloodwork, or extra monitoring.

Ask how often visits happen, how long they last, and whether any parts can be completed near home.

Ask about costs and support

Coverage varies by trial, site, insurance, and country. Ask which trial-related costs are covered and which routine care costs may be billed normally.

If travel is required, ask whether travel, lodging, parking, or caregiver support is available.

Understand the risks and your rights

Before agreeing to anything, it's worth understanding what could go wrong and what choices remain yours throughout the trial.

Ask about known and possible side effects, what happens if a problem occurs during the study, and how the team monitors for safety.

You can also ask whether you're free to leave the trial at any time, what happens to your care if you do, and whether you'll be told the results once the study ends.

What to have ready

• Which records should I send first?
• What could make me ineligible?
• How many visits are required?
• What costs are covered?
• Who should my clinician contact?
• What are the known risks or side effects?
• Can I leave the trial at any point, and what happens if I do?
• Will I be told the results of the study?

Make this easier next time

Save these questions to your medical card, and we'll pre-fill what we can when you reach out to a study team — so you spend less time repeating information and more time getting answers.