How to refer a patient to a clinical research study Referring a patient Please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office to find out if your patient's diagnosis may be of interest to investigators. If your patient's disease is under active investigation, you may be asked to submit the diagnosis and medical history in writing to the principal investigator. Patients accepted to participate in a clinical research protocol are not asked to pay for their medical, surgical, and other hospital care. Patients must usually pay for their own transportation to the hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. The Clinical Center Social Work Department is available to help prospective patients with personal problems concerning admission.
Financial assistance is available only in certain emergency situations.
Eligibility Patients may be referred by a physician or dentist in private practice, hospital, clinical, or other medical organization. The patient's specific disease or condition must be under active investigation by NIH physicians at the time of admission. Each institute considers age, weight, sex, general health, and length of the waiting list for qualified patients as criteria for admission. The possibility of long-term inpatient stays and extended follow up is also considered. Apart from these medical considerations, there are no other restrictions based on race, creed, age, sex, or color.