Taking part in a study in a language other than English

Your right to understand

Before you join any study, a member of the team goes through a consent form with you. That conversation is the moment to understand what the study involves, what it asks of you and what could happen. You should be able to have it in your own language.

In the United States, hospitals and clinics that receive federal funding are expected to provide language help at no cost to you. Research teams commonly arrange a trained medical interpreter for consent and for visits.

Interpreters

A medical interpreter is trained to pass on exactly what is said, in both directions, including medical words. They may join in person, by video or by phone.

You can ask for an interpreter even if you speak some English. Medical conversations are hard, and nobody should have to guess.

• Ask for a trained interpreter, not a family member, for the consent talk.
• Say which language and, if it matters, which dialect.
• Ask for the same interpreter across visits if that is possible.
• Stop the conversation whenever something is unclear.

Translated forms

Many studies translate the consent form and the questionnaires into the languages most common where the study runs. Others use a short translated summary alongside an interpreter.

Ask which documents exist in your language before the first visit, and whether you can take a copy home to read with family.

Sign language and other ways of communicating

If you are Deaf or hard of hearing, you can ask for a sign language interpreter, written notes, or captions on video calls. If reading is difficult, you can ask for forms to be read aloud and explained.

This guide is general information. It is not medical advice, and it does not say whether any study would accept you. Talk to your own doctor about your health.