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Clinical Trials
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Personal Health Issues

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies designed to test new medical approaches and find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat diseases.

Overview

Clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people. Each study answers scientific questions and tries to find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat a disease. Clinical trials may also compare a new treatment to a treatment that is already available.

Study Protocols

Every clinical trial has a protocol, or action plan, for conducting the trial. The plan describes what will be done in the study, how it will be conducted, and why each part of the study is necessary. Each study has its own rules about who can take part. Some studies need volunteers with a certain disease. Some need healthy people. Others want just men or just women.

The Role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews, monitors, and approves many clinical trials. It is an independent committee of physicians, statisticians, and members of the community. Its role is to:

  • Make sure that the study is ethical
  • Protect the rights and welfare of the participants
  • Make sure that the risks are reasonable when compared to the potential benefits

In the United States, a clinical trial must have an IRB if it is studying a drug, biological product, or medical device that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates, or it is funded or carried out by the federal government.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can search for trials through resources like ClinicalTrials.gov, a database maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Your doctor or a specialist can also help identify relevant studies, as they often have information about trials recruiting in your area or for your specific condition. Patient advocacy groups are another valuable resource.
Potential benefits can include access to new treatments before they are widely available, close medical monitoring, and contributing to medical knowledge. Risks might involve unknown side effects, the treatment not being effective for you, or the need for frequent visits and procedures. It's crucial to discuss these thoroughly with the research team and your own doctor.
Your rights and well-being are protected by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee, which reviews and approves the study protocol. You will also go through an informed consent process, where you receive detailed information about the trial, including potential risks and benefits, before deciding to participate. You can withdraw from a trial at any time.
You have the right to withdraw from a clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without penalty or affecting your standard medical care. It's important to inform the research team of your decision so they can safely guide you through the withdrawal process, which may include follow-up appointments to monitor your health.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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