Clinical Trials

For most clinical trials, a participant is assigned to either an intervention or a control group. Participants in the intervention group get the therapy that is being tested. Participants in the control group do not receive the therapy being tested. Instead, they might get the standard treatment for their disease or condition, or they might receive a “placebo.” A placebo is not an active medicine or treatment. The control group helps the researchers understand the effects of the experimental therapy.

Research participants are often assigned randomly to a group. This means your group assignment happens by chance (like flipping a coin). That means you might not get the treatment or therapy that is being tested. In some cases, you won’t know which group you’re in. 
 

Yes. It’s important that children are involved in research, so that researchers can understand the health and behavior of children. Treatments may work differently in children than they do in adults. 

There are special protections and laws in place for any research that involves children. Children (any person under 18) cannot agree to join in research themselves. They must have a parent or guardian give permission (consent) for their child to take part in a research study.
 

Different clinical trials have different ways of paying for any related costs.  The way clinical trial costs are covered should be discussed during the informed consent process. We encourage you to ask questions and/or meet with BMC’s Financial Assistance Department to help estimate potential out-of-pocket expenses before beginning the trial.  Please tell the study team if the out-of-pocket expenses may stop you from being able to participate. 

• Sometimes, the sponsor of the trial may pay for all the study visits, drugs, devices, and procedures.
• Sometimes a clinical trial will expect the patient or their insurance to pay for some of the routine care. This care is usually needed for diagnosis or treatment regardless of study participation. The BMC Financial Assistance Department can help you fully understand what you or your insurance may have to pay for while you are enrolled in a clinical trial. Please see this Cancer Clinical Trial Billing National Cancer Institute video as a great resource
• Tests or procedures specifically required by the trial and not considered routine will be covered by the study sponsor. The sponsor is the organization that funds and conducts the trial. Every trial has an informed consent form that explains the possible costs, potential payments, and expenses that will be covered by the sponsor. You can also ask the trial staff for more information about costs.

Some trials reimburse expenses related to travel, transportation, and food.  Each trial will have its own guidelines that tell you what expenses you can get money back for and how you’ll get money back, as well as what costs will be covered. Check with your doctor and the research team to confirm. 

Some studies will reimburse you for your time and commitment to the trial.  The payment schedule will vary per trial and is something that should be made clear at the beginning of the trial. Always feel free to ask the doctor or study team any questions.

BMC Health System's usually uses ClinCard to reimburse research participants for expenses or time commitment related to the trial. ClinCard is a web-based reloadable debit card. BMC Health System may also use other methods of reimbursement for direct costs, such as meal vouchers, Uber Health, etc. Please, discuss your expense needs with your study team. Visit this fact sheet for guidance on how to use ClinCard: ClinCard FAQ Sheet.