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Informed consent and your rights

Before anyone joins a study, the study team must explain it fully and ask for their agreement.

Last reviewed 14 September 2026

What informed consent is

Informed consent is a conversation, backed by a document, in which the study team explains the study's purpose, what will happen, the possible risks and benefits, and the alternatives. You can ask questions, take time to decide, and talk it over with others.

Rights you keep

Taking part is voluntary.

You can leave a study at any time, for any reason.

Leaving shouldn't affect the regular care you're entitled to.

You can ask questions before, during and after the study.

Oversight

Studies involving people are reviewed by independent ethics committees, often called institutional review boards, which check that risks are reasonable and participants are protected.

This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a study could be right for you, and to the study team about the details of a specific study.

Sources

Written from public information published by ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health.