March 31, 2008
Joining a trial is not the same as getting a new doctor. Although your health will be watched at the trial site (where the trial is carried out), clinical trials are not meant to give you comprehensive health care (complete). It’s important that you have your own physician, who knows your complete medical history, in case of an emergency. You’ll need a complete examination before you join the trial, as well as your usual check-ups and lab tests while you’re in it.
You may have to have some of the same tests done for the trial; your doctor and the people at the site can work out a way to share results so you only have to do a test once. And your doctor or you go to the clinic can help you decide whether or not to join the trial