What does the screening process involve?
Screening typically happens in two steps. First, a phone pre-screen with the research coordinator (10-15 minutes) confirms basic eligibility — age, diagnosis, key inclusion and exclusion criteria. If you pass the phone screen, you're scheduled for an in-person screening visit (sometimes called the 'baseline' visit), usually 1-3 hours long. At that visit you'll review and sign the informed consent document, complete a detailed medical history, undergo a physical exam, and provide blood and urine samples for protocol-required labs. Some studies also require ECGs, imaging, or specialty assessments at screening. All screening procedures are paid for by the sponsor — there is no cost to you. You'll typically learn within a few days to two weeks whether the screening confirmed eligibility. If you don't qualify, the coordinator will tell you why (when allowed) and may suggest other open studies. If you do qualify, you'll be enrolled and the study begins.