Patient Rights

YOUR PROTECTIONS AS A RESEARCH PARTICIPANT.

Every participant in a clinical trial has defined rights established by federal regulations, ethical guidelines, and institutional oversight. Knowing those rights helps you engage with research on your own terms.

Core Protections

THREE RIGHTS THAT MATTER THROUGHOUT.

Right One

The Right to Informed Consent

You must receive a full explanation of the study before agreeing to participate. This includes purpose, procedures, foreseeable risks, potential benefits, alternatives, and how your information will be handled. Consent must be voluntary — never coerced.

Right Two

The Right to Withdraw

Participation in any clinical trial is voluntary. You may choose to withdraw at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you would otherwise be entitled. Withdrawal does not affect your standard medical care.

Right Three

The Right to Privacy & Confidentiality

Federal regulations require that your personal health information be handled with strict confidentiality protections. Research teams are required to follow HIPAA and institutional privacy standards throughout the study.

Oversight & Accountability

RESEARCH IS INDEPENDENTLY REVIEWED.

Every clinical trial conducted at a regulated institution must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board before it can begin recruiting participants. The IRB's job is to protect you.

→ You can ask to see the IRB approval documentation for any study.
→ You have the right to ask questions at any time — before, during, or after enrollment.
→ Concerns about how a trial is being conducted can be reported to the IRB or federal oversight bodies.