Once you are in the study, you will be required to complete various procedures throughout the study. 

Nearly all if not all Clinical Research Facilities use the 24-hour (Military) time format.  Having the correct time is very important, so every clock in the facility is synchronized or atomic.  Military time is formatted so there is no way to confuse 1 AM with 1 PM.  You will probably have to date and time many documents throughout the screening and study process.  Be sure to use the time provided and not your own watch.  

Military time should be written as 4 digits with no colon.  So for 7 AM, you should write 0700, not 07:00 or 7 AM.  And for pm just add 12 to the time.  So for 5 PM, you write 1700.  To figure out what time it is in the pm, just subtract 12. 

Every facility is different.  Many have dorm-style rooms with several beds or bunks.  Some have semi-private rooms with 2 to 4 people in each room.  Few have private rooms.  You will typically have enough room to store a standard sized suitcase and some small carry type bags.  Few clinics have lockers so if you bring valuables like a laptop, you need to keep a close eye on it.  With maybe one exception, clinics will provide liens, blankets and towels. 

Some facilities have a separate room set aside for procedures while others perform the procedures at your bed. 

Some places have individual bedside TVs while other places have community TVs or a separate TV room.  Most places will provide movies, video games and internet access.  Board games, books, magazines and pool tables can also be found at many places.  

When a facility says they have computers with internet access, generally they mean 1 to 3 computers!  So you have to share with other people in your study and other studies.  Wi-fi access is fairly common in clinics though some still don't have it.  Even if a clinic has Wi-fi, don't expect it to be the best or be able to access high-bandwidth activities. 

Some clinics have structured activities like bingo, arts & crafts or tournaments. 

But for the most part, it is recommended that you bring your own stuff to keep you busy. 

Some studies will allow time for subjects to go outside for a walk.  If you are taking a drug that can make you sensitive to UV light, then you might not get a walk or it will be at dusk.  Shorter studies may not have walks. 

While your staying at a clinic, there are many things you are not allowed to do.  The majority is just common sense as well as legal.  You have to follow all laws of the city, state and country your in. 

The most common restrictions that are used by all clinics include:

Most studies have specific dietary guidelines for the subjects to follow.  Typically, you will be receive three meals a day and a light snack.  Some studies may have reduced meals or even double meals.  Some studies may eliminate a meal (most commonly breakfast for morning doses).  It is important that you eat everything you are given and do not trade with others at the table.  Some studies will require that you eat all meals. 

Some studies may also require you to start eating at a particular time and to "save your last bite" until a particular time.  There are many variations to the diet and people on different studies will receive different meals.  It's kinda funny to see what everyone else is getting, except when your on a reduced diet and everyone else is on a double diet.

This is one of the major objectives of any study is to monitor the side-effects subjects have due to the medication.

Essentially, you need to report to appropriate staff (usually the paramedic on duty) anything that is not normal.  If you don't normally have a headache and all of a sudden you get one, then you need to report this.  Anytime you don't feel normal, this needs to be reported.  You should always report side-effects right when they start and when they end.  The study doctor will determine if the side-effect is study drug related.  You will not get in trouble for reporting side-effects.  It is also important NOT TO discuss your side-effects with other subjects or staff.  If a subject tells you that he/she is feeling strange, then you might somehow also feel the same way.  While your complaint may be valid, it is important that you tell the appropriate staff and they can determine what your side-effect may be.  Some clinics are becoming very strict and can remove you from the study if you are not reporting your side-effects or are discussing them with other subjects. 

It is important to note that not all side effects are bad.  If a drug that is developed to treat a condition but one of the major side effects is drowsiness, then this drug may be prescribed as a sleep-aid as well.  A well known erectile dysfunction drug was originally developed to treat high blood pressure.  So reporting all side-effects may lead to additional and better uses for drugs.

If you are removed from the study once it has started because the medication is causing serious side-effects or harm, you will typically be removed from the study and will receive the full compensation for the study as well as medical treatment provided at no cost (if necessary).  This is a decision made by the study doctor. 

Some studies have multiple stays and out-patients.  When you sign the informed consent form, you are agreeing to come to the clinic for all of these visits on time and on the day of the visit.  If you miss or are late enough to a second check-in or between in-patient stay out-patient visit, you can be removed from the study which will result in receiving less money. 

Additionally, you are not completely done with a study until your last labs (check-out) are cleared by the study doctor.  This usually takes 24 to 48 hours after your last visit.  If any of the values are out of range, you will be required to come back and provide additional samples.  Failure to do so will results in disqualification of the study and reduced payment as you will likely lose your completion bonus if applicable.  Also, you may not get your payment until the repeat is done. 

In the end, you will be compensated for your time and inconvenience.

Please note that some facilities compensate based on a completion program.  What this means is that part of your compensation is dependant on you completing the entire study including all In-Patient and Out-Patient visits.  Most call it a bonus or completion bonus.  Failure to complete all parts of the study may result in forfeiture of of the completion bonus. 

Depending on the clinic, you may have to wait for up to four weeks after you complete the study for compensation.  Be sure to check.  If the study is long and has multiple visits, you may get stipends at the end of each segment, although this is not guaranteed.    Again, be sure to ask before hand if this will be an issue.  There are no industry standards regarding the payment of stipends by clinics. 

If you earn more than $600 a year at any one clinic, you are liable for taxes.  All clinics are required to report to the IRS.  When you check in, you will fill out a W-9 and come tax time, you will get a 1099 misc income statement. 

If you are removed from the study once it has started because the medication is causing serious side-effects or harm, you will typically be removed from the study and will receive the full compensation for the study as well as medical treatment provided at no cost (if necessary).  This is a decision made by the study doctor. 

If you are removed because illicit drugs or unauthorized substances are found in your bloodstream or possessions, you may not receive any compensation at all!  Be sure not to bring in any contraband!  Also, follow all directions of the nurses and staff.  After all, you are being compensated to do so.  You can also be kicked off a study for any number of reasons including being disruptive, uncooperative and for fighting.  

If you decide that you cannot continue the study due to any reason, you will be allowed to quit, but you will only be compensated up to that point.  If you are not comfortable with the procedures, then you can quit at any time.  Most companies will compensate you on a pro-rated basis based on the number of nights you did complete.  If you quit voluntarily, you may not be eligible for the completion bonus if applicable.