Support Your Patients in Exploring Clinical Trials
Clinical trials can be one part of a patient care journey. For some patients, a referral opens the door to more information, additional treatment options, or a conversation they may not have known to start on their own.
Why Refer a Patient to a Clinical Trial
Referring a patient to a clinical trial can help them learn about research opportunities that may be relevant to their condition, treatment history, or care goals. For some patients, it is a chance to explore options they may not have considered before. For others, it is simply a way to gather more information and ask questions.
Many patients are interested in learning more about clinical trials, but for too many, that conversation never begins. Provider referrals can help close that gap and ensure that patients from communities that have been underrepresented in research have the opportunity to learn more, ask informed questions, and decide what feels right for them.
How Referrals Work
Referring a patient to a clinical trial should feel straightforward and supportive. Here is how the process typically works:
- 1. Identify whether a trial may be worth exploring based on the patient's condition, care plan, or treatment history.
- 2. Search for a relevant study using the trial finder to look for studies by condition, location, or other key details.
- 3. Connect with the trial team directly using the contact information in the trial listing for eligibility, logistics, and next steps.
- 4. Introduce the opportunity in plain language — exploring a trial does not mean committing to participate.
- 5. Encourage direct follow-up so the patient can connect with the research team to learn more.
- 6. Let the screening process guide eligibility — the study team confirms fit after informed consent and screening.
- 7. Support communication along the way — the trial team may keep you informed with the patient's permission.
- 8. Keep patient choice at the center — participation is always voluntary.