• A clinical trial for a medication tests the side effects of a medication in humans.Group of clinical syringes and a phial - close up image by Werg from Fotolia.com
  
  Clinical trials are medical experimentations to test the side effects and results of a medication. Patients that agree to take a clinical trail are given the medication that is currently in testing for a specific condition. Medical professionals, scientists and other individuals involved with the trail can then monitor the results of the drug's effects over a specific time period. Though it is experimentation, action is taken to ensure safety of the participants during the trial.
  
  

Doctor Contact Information

• Patients that take part in a clinical trial are given information to contact the doctor in charge of the trial and any other medical staff that is working with the trial. This information is given so patients con contact the medical person in charge if there are adverse effects from the medication or if the patient has any questions during the trial. The information is usually given with the consent form.
  
  

Patient Privacy

• While patients sign an informed consent form, the medical staff must meet privacy standards. This means that while the doctor in charge of the trial and the hospital will have contact information for purposes of the trial, they are not allowed to give out patient information to third parties without the consent of the patient. The informed consent form will have specifics for patient privacy laid out so the patient will know beforehand if a third party will receive patient contact information.
  
  

State Laws

• State laws for patient privacy differ. While federal laws state that the trial may not give out patient health information to third parties, state laws differ in regard to handling patients' information. The informed consent form will specify use of patients' contact information and when the information is given to third parties. While the patient health information is protected by the state, contact information given for the trial might not have state protection. It is important for any individual taking part in a clinical trail to pay attention to the privacy policy detailed in the informed consent form and to ask questions about third-party involvement in the study before signing the consent form.