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Guides to open enrollment
Read our guides to Medicare and Marketplace open enrollment for 2027
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Medicare open enrollment
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Marketplace open enrollment
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Your guide to Medicaid
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- Clinical trials
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Learn about clinical trials
Understand how clinical trials work, how researchers plan for safety, and how to join a trial
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- Resources
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Resources for patients and providers
Explore our practical resources for navigating clinical trials, understanding Medicaid, and much more
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Informed consent process
You have the right to understand what a clinical trial involves before you join, and you have the right to leave the clinical trial at any time.
What is informed consent?
Informed consent is the process that explains a clinical trial before someone agrees to take part. The informed consent process provides time to learn about the clinical trial, ask questions, and carefully decide whether participation feels right. It involves:
- Conversations with the clinical trial team
- Opportunities to ask questions
- Written information explaining the trial
- Time to consider the decision without pressure
What happens during the informed consent process?
- A doctor or nurse explains the clinical trial in clear, plain language. Questions are encouraged at any time.
- You receive a written form outlining the trial, including its purpose, procedures, possible risks and benefits, and participant responsibilities.
- You take time to review the information and decide whether participation feels right.
- You sign the form only if you fully understand and agree to take part. When signed, this form becomes a legal record showing the decision to participate was made voluntarily.
- A copy of the signed form is provided to keep.
If new information becomes available during the trial, you are informed and can decide whether to continue.
Who makes sure the process is appropriate?
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews the informed consent materials before the clinical trial begins. The consent form includes an approval stamp showing when it was reviewed and how long the approval lasts. The IRB helps make sure:
- Information is clear and accurate
- Risks are explained clearly
- The language is understandable
- Participation is voluntary
Learn more about how the IRB plays a role in clinical trial safety.
What should I learn next?
What are the risks of clinical trials?
Understand the possible risks in clinical trials and how they’re managed.
How do I join a clinical trial?
Learn about enrolling in a clinical trial and how to ask for help with the process.
Find a clinical trial
Our TrialFinder site makes it easy to search for clinical trials based on your condition and location.
Call us for help
Our CareLine case managers can answer your questions about clinical trials. Call:
1-855-329-5969
Find patient support
Learn more about the services and programs offered by Patient Advocate Foundation to support patients.