Should I participate in a research study?
Becoming a Research Volunteer: It's Your Decision

Are there any benefits and/or risks to being in a research study?

Research studies that are well-designed and well-done may be beneficial because participants:

• Play an active role in their own health care.
• Gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available.
• Help others by contributing to medical research.

As is the case with most medical treatments, there are risks to participating in research. Some risks may include:

• There may be unpleasant, serious or even life-threatening side effects to the treatment.
• The treatment may not be effective for an individual participant.
• The research study may require more time and attention than would routine clinical treatment, including trips to the study site, more treatments, longer hospital stays, or complicated drug therapies.
• Experimental treatments must be evaluated for both immediate and long-term side effects.

• Should I participate in a research study?
• What is a research study?
• Are there any benefits and/or risks to being in a research study?
• Who pays for clinical research?
• What are my rights if I take part in a study?
• What should I consider before participating in a research study?
• What is informed consent?
• How is the safety of the study participant protected?
• What is an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
• Mayo Clinic’s Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• PDF Version (4 MB)