How Do People Decide to Join Clinical Trials?

Deciding whether to participate in clinical research can feel complex — especially when the decision involves health, time, and uncertainty.

This episode explores how people think through research participation. While awareness of clinical trials is relatively high, participation remains low, highlighting a gap between knowing about studies and choosing to join.

Dr. Tara Moroz is joined by Wes Michael, President & Founder, Rare Patient Voice, LLC, to explore what shapes these decisions, including trust, clarity of information, practical logistics, and personal motivations. These factors often work together, shaping decisions in ways that go beyond the science alone.

You’ll also hear how people evaluate study invitations in real-world contexts, where everyday responsibilities and personal values play an important role.

Listen to the episode — then explore the full transcript, the clarity poll, and evidence in The Evidence Edit.