Any cautionary tales about participating in a clinical trial?

[Anonymous]

Logistics? I was at Penn Medicine caring for a relative and spent a lot of time in the family room. There was a couple there and one was doing clinical trial. They had to go every day and do stuff and wait and do stuff....? So factor getting somewhere (like the middle of a city), rush hour, paying for parking? I would definitely check that part out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the opinions. I am still in info-gathering mode and (since this is DC) I have friends who work in this area so I am reaching out to them for expert opinions; I'm also asking my PCP her opinion. I was asking about patient experience mainly. To answer one question, yes this is a comprehensive cancer center but so far I don't see what the big deal is about that. I don't need an effing harp in the waiting room like we're in heaven. I'd rather that my appointment run on time.

There is no placebo or no aspect to this trial--everyone is getting two drugs and then monitored. One of these drugs has shown to have excellent results in the past; the second is used for another kind of cancer usually. It's the pairing that is investigational. Still gathering intel...

Areyou sure there is no comparison group?

Usually people are randomized to the new thing they are trying (or standard treatment). They have to have something to compare it to. 🤔