From first call to final visit
- 1
The first call
A coordinator asks some questions by phone to see whether the study could suit you. It usually takes a few minutes, and you can ask your own questions too.
- 2
The screening visit
At the site, the team explains the study and goes through the consent form with you. If you agree, they check your health against the study’s criteria. This may include blood tests, measurements and questions about your medicines.
- 3
Study visits
If you join, you come back on a set schedule. Visits often repeat the same checks so that changes can be measured. Some studies replace visits with phone or video calls.
- 4
The end of the study
A final visit or call closes your part in the study. The team may follow up later, and you can ask to be told the overall results once they are published.
What to bring
- A list of every medicine and supplement you take, with doses
- Photo ID and, if the study asks for it, your insurance card
- Glasses or hearing aids, and anything else you need to read and talk comfortably
- Your questions, written down, so none get forgotten
- Something to read: some visits include waiting time between tests
Practical things to ask about
Studies differ widely in how much time they take. Before you agree, ask how long each visit lasts, how often you will need to come in, whether any visits are early in the morning or need you to fast, and whether travel or parking costs are covered.
If a visit is hard to make, say so. Coordinators can often move appointments, and some studies send a nurse to your home or let you do parts of a visit by video.