Safeguards and consent
Both standard care and clinical trials have risks, side effects and benefits that vary depending on the individual. However, there are rigorous guidelines in place to protect the wellbeing and safety of clinical trial participants. Your VCI physician and research nurse will explain any known or anticipated risks beforehand.
Once your eligibility for a specific trial is established, the research nurse will explain the informed consent process. Informed consent is one of the patient’s most important rights in the research process, because it outlines the purpose of the study, the exact treatments that will be administered, all possible side effects and the patient’s right to withdraw from the study at any point. Signing the consent form acknowledges that the trial was explained and is understood. Also, clinical trial participants are constantly monitored to identify any changes in their condition.