A screening call typically lasts 15–30 minutes. That's your one chance to get the full picture before deciding. Coordinators are trained to answer these — they will not think less of you for asking. They'll think more of you.

Below is a comprehensive list. Copy the sections that apply to your situation and bring them to the call. You won't have time for every question on the call — prioritise the ones that matter most to your decision, and ask the rest by email afterwards.

Before the call

  • ✓ Re-read the trial's eligibility criteria so the conversation starts from a shared baseline
  • ✓ Have your medical history and recent test results in front of you
  • ✓ Know your prior treatments and their dates
  • ✓ Have a pen + paper or a notes app open
  • ✓ Plan to take 30 minutes minimum — don't squeeze it between meetings

Section 1

About the trial itself

Get a clear picture of what you'd be joining. Coordinators are used to these — don't worry about sounding naive.

  • ▢What's the purpose of this trial? What question are you trying to answer?
  • ▢What phase is the trial — 1, 2, 3, or 4 — and what does that mean for what I'd experience?
  • ▢Who is sponsoring the trial? Is it a drug company, a university, a government agency?
  • ▢How many people will be enrolled, and how many sites are running it?
  • ▢Has the drug or treatment been tested in humans before? What did you learn?
  • ▢What's the principal investigator's background?
  • ▢Is there an Institutional Review Board (IRB) overseeing this trial? Who?

Section 2

About what I'd actually do

The day-to-day reality. This is often the gap between expectations and actual experience.

  • ▢How long does the trial last in total? How long is the treatment phase?
  • ▢How many visits would I need to make, and how long is each one?
  • ▢Where would visits happen — your site, a hospital, my home?
  • ▢What tests, scans, or procedures are involved at each visit?
  • ▢How is the treatment administered — pill, infusion, injection, surgery?
  • ▢What are the time-of-day or fasting requirements before visits?
  • ▢Are any visits virtual, or do they all need to be in-person?
  • ▢Are there activity restrictions during the trial — exercise, alcohol, sun exposure, sexual activity?

Section 3

About risks and side effects

Don't skip this section. Coordinators must disclose known risks, but you should still ask plainly.

  • ▢What side effects have been seen in previous trials of this drug or treatment?
  • ▢What are the most serious possible side effects? How likely are they?
  • ▢What signs or symptoms should prompt me to call you immediately?
  • ▢If I have a side effect, who covers the medical cost of treating it?
  • ▢What other medications shouldn't I take during the trial?
  • ▢Are there long-term risks that wouldn't show up until after the trial ends?
  • ▢Will I be able to call someone outside business hours if I have a problem?

Section 4

About my participation status

Your rights as a volunteer. Reinforce these out loud — it's a useful conversation to have on the record.

  • ▢Will I get the experimental drug, or could I get a placebo or comparator drug?
  • ▢If a placebo arm is used, what would I be receiving instead of the drug?
  • ▢Can I withdraw at any time? What's the process?
  • ▢If I withdraw, will it affect my care from my regular doctor?
  • ▢Could you remove me from the trial if my condition changes? Under what circumstances?
  • ▢What happens if the trial is stopped early — for any reason?

Section 5

About money

Most trials cover the experimental drug for free, but ancillary costs can surprise people.

  • ▢What is covered by the trial — the drug, scans, lab tests, doctor visits?
  • ▢What costs would my insurance be responsible for?
  • ▢Will I be compensated for my time, travel, or parking?
  • ▢Are there hotel or accommodation costs covered if I need to travel?
  • ▢Is there a patient assistance program for travel from out of state?
  • ▢If the drug works for me, can I continue receiving it after the trial ends, and if so, who pays?

Section 6

About results and follow-up

What happens after you finish your active participation.

  • ▢When will I find out which group I was in — the treatment or control?
  • ▢Will I get my individual results, or only the overall trial results?
  • ▢How long after the trial ends are results typically published?
  • ▢Will my regular doctor receive a summary of my participation and results?
  • ▢If the trial is successful, when might the drug be available to the wider public?
  • ▢Will my data or samples be used in future research? Can I opt out?

Section 7

About the bigger picture

Worth asking near the end to gauge confidence and honesty.

  • ▢If this were your mother or father — would you recommend this trial for them?
  • ▢What would make you say this trial isn't a fit for me?
  • ▢Are there other trials you'd consider for someone in my situation?
  • ▢What's the next step if I decide to move forward? What if I want to think about it?

After the call

Right after you hang up, write down:

  • The questions you didn't get a clear answer to — email the coordinator to follow up
  • Your gut reaction. Did the coordinator inspire confidence? Did anything feel off?
  • What you'd need to know to make your final decision
  • A date to decide by, so the decision doesn't drift

If you're using Compass Pro, your inquiry inbox keeps a record of everything you and the coordinator have exchanged. Notes you take during or after the call can be saved alongside the case so you don't lose context across multiple trials.

Not medical advice. These questions are a starting point, not legal or medical guidance. Adapt them to your specific situation and consult your treating physician about whether any trial is appropriate for you.