## Be Part of a Medical Breakthrough Every breakthrough in medicine starts with a question—and research volunteers help find the answers. Clinical trials are research studies that explore new ways to prevent, find, or treat health conditions. They’re a key part of how physicians and scientists discover better treatments and care. **Clinical trials may:** - Test new treatment options - Look for ways to prevent disease - Help doctors develop better tests for certain health conditions - Explore ways to improve quality of life for people living with chronic diseases ## Leading Expertise ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/a237c862-a09f-41de-b3e9-3e19ad4cbbda/Research-Day-2025-64?io=transform:fill,width:510,height:200&format=png&quality=100) ### Improving healthcare for all None of the work would be possible without clinical research participants. By participating, patients are not only helping themselves, but also doctors and scientists improve global healthcare. ![Clinical Research Unit Service Line Photography](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/4cdf1f04-c6d2-4b09-939d-3510a52cc7cd/IMG_3985-Edit-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:510,height:200&format=png&quality=100) ### Diverse clinical trials are key At BMC, we make sure our clinical trials include people with many different lived experiences and characteristics to ensure new treatments are safe and effective for everyone. ![CRU Ribbon Cutting Event](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/238d975a-d3ec-4b0b-9d8a-e43c6e8ecb5b/IMG_4588-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:510,height:200,gravity:top&format=png&quality=100) ### Your doctor is here to help Talking to your doctor about research is a great way to find out about studies that may be a good fit for you, or learn more about studies you may have found. ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/78c5a5f8-defb-4490-87fc-293f8e17fe0c/IMG_3852-Edit-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:550,gravity:center&format=webp) ## Contact Us Researchers, sponsors, community organizations, and community members may contact the Clinical Research Network via email for more information. [Contact Us](mailto:CRN@bmc.org) ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/867e8f98-d8c4-4710-b037-50067b0f2acb/IMG_1137-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:550,gravity:center&format=webp) ## Institutional Review Boards In the United States, an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approves and monitors clinical research. They make sure that any risk to the people in the trial is as low as possible and outweighed by potential benefits. IRBs usually include people with different backgrounds, including community member(s). The Office of Human Research Affairs (OHRA) is responsible for overseeing human research conducted at BMC Health System. They ensure our research meets the highest ethical standards and all regulatory requirements. [Learn more about BMC Health System’s IRB](https://www.bumc.bu.edu/irb/) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Will I get experimental therapy if I join a clinical trial? 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. ### Can children participate in research? 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. ### Does it cost anything to be in a clinical trial? 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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWH9DNfgYPs) 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. ### Do I get paid to be in a clinical trial? 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](https://www.bmc.org/files/Research/11.17.21-Final-Version-of-ClinCard-FAQ-Sheet.pdf). ## Participant Bill of Rights - [English](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/BillofRights_English_LowResolution.pdf) - [Español](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/BillofRights_Spanish_LowResolution.pdf) - [Kreyòl ayisyen](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/BillofRights_HaitianCreole_LowResolution.pdf) - [Français ](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/BillofRights_French_LowResolution.pdf) - [Português](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/BillofRights_Portuguese_LowResolution.pdf) - [Kriolu](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/BillofRights_CapeVerdean_LowResolution.pdf) - [Tiếng Việt](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/BillofRights_Vietnamese_LowResolution.pdf)