What happens during a clinical trial?

What happens
during a
clinical trial?

Once you pass screening, you'll be assigned to a treatment arm. The trial team will help you through this process by checking your health with exams, tests, and surveys to see how you're doing.

Understanding placebo & randomization 

Clinical trials use different methods to make sure their results are fair and reliable. Here are the main ways this is done:

Randomization

A computer randomly decides which people go into different groups. This helps make sure that everyone has an equal chance of being in any group.

Placebos

Look like the real investigational product but don't have any active medicine in them. Some trials use placebos to help researchers see if the investigational product being tested really works.

Standard of Care

Is the usual treatment that doctors give for a condition. Some trials compare the new investigational product to the standard of care to see how they work differently.

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What does
randomization mean?
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In a clinical trial, everyone gets medical care and is closely monitored by doctors. No one goes without care.
Depending on the trial, you might get:
  • Different amounts of the investigational product
  • The standard of care
  • Sometimes, a placebo

The doctors always make sure everyone is taken care of during the whole trial.

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Understanding
placebo
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Patient safety is the priority.
Patient safety is the priority.
Every clinical trial is designed with patient well-being at its core.
Before a trial begins
A group of experts reviews the plan for the trial to make sure it protects the rights, safety, and health of everyone who joins. These groups are called independent ethics committees. They include doctors, scientists, and people from the community who are not part of the trial team.
During the trial
Doctors and researchers check on patients often to help keep them safe. Regular check-ups, lab tests, and safety reviews help catch and address concerns quickly.
Follow-up
After the treatment phase ends, follow-up visits help researchers understand long-term effects and overall safety.
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The importance of patient follow-up
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At Johnson & Johnson, keeping people safe in our trials is our top priority. We are always working to find better ways to protect and support patients from start to finish.
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Safety in a clinical trial
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Who is my healthcare team?

Who is my healthcare team? 

A dedicated healthcare team will support you throughout the clinical trial. The healthcare team usually includes: 
Principal investigator (PI)
The doctor in charge of the trial
Sub-investigators (Sub-I)
Other doctors who help lead the trial
Research nurses
Nurses who help with care, visits, and procedures for the trial
Trial coordinators
Make sure the trial runs smoothly and keep track of paperwork
Pharmacists
Prepare and give out medicines and devices used during the trial, including the investigational products
Lab technicians
Collect and test samples, like blood or urine
Specialists
Doctors with special training who support the trial when needed (like cardiologists or radiologists)
This team works together to check your health, give you the right care, and make sure the trial is safe.
You're encouraged to speak openly with the team. You should feel confident sharing how you're feeling, any side effects, or any changes in your health during the trial.
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The importance of open communication with the trial staff
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