Short checklist: 5 easy questions to ask before joining any study

  1. Why is this study being done? (What real-world question will it help answer?)
  2. Who else is taking part? (Are people like me included?)
  3. What will I need to do, and for how long? (Visits, tests, time commitment.)
  4. What are the likely risks and possible benefits? (Be realistic: benefits aren’t guaranteed.)
  5. How will my information be used and protected? (Who will see it? Can I withdraw it later?)

What communities, doctors and researchers can do (practical actions)

  • Communities: Partner with researchers to design studies and recruitment materials that make sense locally.
  • Doctors: Ask researchers about the representativeness of the evidence before applying it to your patients.
  • Researchers & funders: Require subgroup reporting, fund pilots, and make budgets that support inclusive recruitment.
  • Everyone: Talk about experiences — patient stories help set research priorities.
What You Can Do:
  • Share your story (it shapes future research!)A closing paragraph anyone can remember
  • Ask your doctor: “Was this treatment tested on people like me?”
  • Join studies (search: “clinical trials near me”)

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6