Clinical Trial Frequently Asked Questions

Researchers use data collected from real people during clinical trials to find new ways to prevent and detect diseases, improve treatment effectiveness, and determine the correct dosage for treating medical conditions. 

Your safety is our priority. Clinical trials are highly regulated, regularly monitored and performed at the highest ethical standards. Guaranteed safeguards include protocol review by our Institutional Review Board of medical professionals, statisticians and medical ethicists; a rigorous informed consent process, and direct oversight by your own provider.   

• You may receive medication or treatment not yet available to everyone.  
• You'll help researchers learn whether new medications are effective.
• You’ll help advance research by providing information that can lead to better treatments.
• You may be eligible for study-related visits, lab tests, procedures and/or experimental medication or treatment at no cost.
• You may be paid for your time and travel expenses. 

Each clinical trial is unique, but you can expect that we’ll keep you informed about all known risks and side effects throughout your study.

Volunteers receive experimental treatment or are in the control group. Volunteers in the control group receive the standard treatment or a placebo instead of a drug. This helps researchers determine effectiveness. 

That depends on the clinical trial, but you don’t have to be a Gundersen patient to qualify. Clinical trials at Gundersen are open to everyone. 

You have the right to stop participating in a study and to withdraw your consent at any time, and for any reason. It's your responsibility to take medications and/or use devices, as directed. 

To participate in a clinical trial, you must give your informed consent. That means that you understand the purpose of the study, the procedures and tests required, the risks and benefits and your rights. 

Talk to your provider about what clinical trials are open to you. You can search Gundersen’s clinical trial database by condition, treatment, age or gender. 

For questions about cancer and blood disorder clinical trials, reach out to our Hematology and Oncology Clinical Research team by email or call (608) 775-5014.

For questions about clinical trials for specialty conditions, reach out to our Multidisciplinary Clinical Research team by email or call (608) 775-7001.