Although transparency gets thrown around a lot lately; you hear it in politics, sports, etc to us it really means something.  First, no one EVER participates in a research study in our center without undergoing what is famously known as the "informed consent process".  Federal law REQUIRES that you are given clear information on what you might be signing up for.  This includes reading, UNDERSTANDING and signing an informed consent form as well as an interview with a health care provider to answer any and all questions.  When I started in this business many years ago, informed consent forms were just a few pages long.  Now they are often 20 pages or more.  They list all the good things AND all the bad things that may or can happen to you in the research study.  It tells you how much you will get paid, that WE are getting paid to do the research, who to contact for problems AND it has the doctor's cell phone number so you can call at any time. Of course, you get a copy of this form.  There is much more to transparency though.  You can ask questions at any time, via phone calls, at one of your visits, text, email, it doesn't matter.  We want you to know what is going on.  If there is news regarding your treatment, we are REQUIRED to tell you if something new has been learned regarding your treatment.  Lastly, you are entitled to copies of any of your lab tests, x-rays, ECGs etc.  We are happy to give them to you for your records.   You will always know what it going on during a research study AND you can always decide to stop your participation - we wont' hold it against you, you are still welcome in our clinic.