The Questions That Matter Most: Finding the Right Clinical Trial for You
By Dr. Julie Hansen, MD
Board Certified Internal Medicine
Current Cardiology Fellow at Medical College of Wisconsin
10/08/2025
When we think about clinical trials, we often focus on the science, the new drugs, the cutting-edge technology, and the promise of hope. But as a physician, I’ve come to realize that sometimes we forget to pause and ask what truly matters to the person in front of us.
Clinical trials are not just about extending life; they’re about enriching it. And what “enrichment” means can look very different from one person to another. It’s not only about the potential benefits of a treatment; it’s also about your goals, your fears, and your definition of quality of life.
Dr. Atul Gawande’s book, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, captures this beautifully. In it, he describes five questions he asks his patients. Questions that help uncover what truly matters to them as they face serious illness and difficult medical choices. These same questions can serve as a powerful guide for anyone considering a clinical trial:
1. What is your understanding of your situation and its potential outcomes?
Before exploring a trial, it’s important to understand where you are in your health journey. What is known about your diagnosis? What are the realistic expectations of current treatments? And how does the clinical trial fit into that picture?
Understanding your situation isn’t about losing hope; it’s about grounding hope in knowledge. The more you understand, the more able you are to make decisions that align with your goals.
2. What are your fears or worries for the future?
Everyone has different fears; some worry about losing independence, others about pain, or becoming a burden to loved ones.
If a clinical trial offers potential benefit, but comes with frequent hospital visits or uncertain side effects, how does that fit with your priorities? Acknowledging your fears isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a form of clarity.
3. What are your goals if time becomes short?
This question often brings people back to what gives their life meaning: family dinners, being around friends, gardening, or simply waking up without pain.
Understanding your goals helps you and your medical team balance the potential risks and benefits of a clinical trial. Sometimes, the best choice isn’t the most aggressive option. It’s the one that best aligns with your vision of living well.
4. What trade-offs are you willing to make, and what trade-offs are you not?
Clinical trials often involve trade-offs: side effects, extra appointments, or uncertainty. Being clear about what you’re willing to endure and what you aren’t can help guide your decision with confidence and peace.
Would you accept fatigue if it meant a chance at slowing disease progression? Would you rather focus on comfort and time at home? There’s no right or wrong answer, only your answer.
5. What does a good day look like for you?
This is perhaps the most powerful question. When you close your eyes and picture a “good day,” what do you see?
For some, it’s having the energy to walk outside or cook a meal. For others, it’s feeling well enough to laugh with family or enjoy a quiet morning with coffee.
If a clinical trial helps preserve or enhance those good days, it may be worth pursuing. If it has known side effects that may stop you from having your good days, perhaps another path aligns better with what matters most.
As physicians and researchers, our role isn’t just to treat disease; it’s to help you live meaningfully on your own terms.
If you or a loved one is considering a clinical trial, take time to reflect on these five questions. Write your answers down. Share them with your care team and family to keep your goals at the center of your decisions. Because when your medical choices align with your values, you’re not just surviving, you’re living with intention.
