FAQ

Do I have to share medical records before I know the site is real?

No. A phone screen may require basic health history, but full records, lab reports, ID documents, insurance cards, and tax information should wait until you have verified the study site and transfer method. Ask for the official title, NCT number, site name, and main phone number.

Does passing a phone screen mean I am enrolled?

No. Formal screening may still include consent review, labs, ECG, vitals, pregnancy testing, records review, medication review, or investigator approval. Ask whether screening is paid if you do not qualify.

Can I leave a study after signing?

Consent documents generally describe voluntary participation and withdrawal. Ask how to withdraw, whether follow-up safety contact is requested, what payment remains owed, and whether any medication or device needs return or safety review.

When is compensation paid?

Payment may be per visit, after batches of visits, after completion, or after sponsor processing. Ask for the payment schedule, payment method, reimbursement rules, and completion bonus conditions before screening.

What should I ask about third-party recruiters?

Ask which site they are recruiting for, whether they work directly with the site, how your information is transferred, and how to contact the research site through its main phone number. A third-party recruiter can be legitimate, but the site should still be verifiable.

What if screening finds an abnormal lab result?

Ask whether the site will notify you, provide a copy, or send the result to your clinician at your request. Research sites may not provide ongoing care, so ask where follow-up should happen.

Can I join more than one study?

Many protocols restrict recent or overlapping research participation, especially drug, device, vaccine, and procedure studies. Tell each site about recent screening, enrollment, dosing, investigational product exposure, or blood donation.

Should I change medications to qualify?

Do not stop, start, or change medications to fit a protocol unless your own clinician gives medical instructions. If a study requires a washout period, ask whether your clinician needs to approve it.

Should I tell a site about another study I screened for?

Yes. Tell the site about recent screening, enrollment, dosing, investigational products, blood draws, or research procedures. Even if you were not enrolled, the site may need dates to decide whether the protocol allows screening.

What if the recruiter cannot answer my payment questions?

Ask for the study coordinator or site staff member who can explain the payment schedule. Do not schedule a long screening visit when payment, reimbursement, and completion-bonus rules are still unclear.

Can a study require follow-up after I stop?

Some studies request safety follow-up after withdrawal, especially when medication, device use, dosing, or procedures are involved. Ask what follow-up is requested, whether it is paid, and whether it can be completed by phone.