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After Finding a Trial: Step 7
Contact the Clinical Trial Team
There are several ways to contact the Clinical Trial Team.
- Contact the trial team directly. The protocol summary should include the name and telephone number of someone you can contact for more information. You do not need to talk to the lead researcher (called the “protocol chair” or “principal investigator”) at this time, even if that is the name that is included with the telephone number. Instead, call the number and ask to speak with the “trial coordinator,” the “referral coordinator,” or the “protocol assistant.” This person can answer questions from potential patients and their doctors. It is also this person’s job to determine whether you are likely to be eligible to join the trial. (A final determination would be made only after you had gone in for a first appointment.)
- Ask your doctor or other health care team member to contact the trial team for you. Because the clinical trial coordinator will ask questions related to your diagnosis, you may want to ask your doctor or someone else on your health care team to contact the clinical trial team for you.
- The trial team may contact you. If you have used some a third-party Web site and identified a trial that interests you, you may have provided your name, phone number, and e-mail address so that the clinical trial team can contact you.
You will need to refer to your Diagnosis Checklist (Step 3) during the conversation, so keep that handy.
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