Frequently 

asked questions.

Probandeninfo is the participant and patient information service for CRS, which is a clinical research company. We run studies in Mannheim, Kiel and Berlin. For over 40 years, we’ve conducted clinical studies for pharmaceutical companies, medical device makers, and academic partners. We clearly inform you, guide you through the process, and ensure you are well cared for before, during, and after you take part.

A clinical study tests new or existing medications and medical procedures in a controlled way. The main goal is to understand how well they work and how safe they are. You are essential: without participants, new treatments cannot be approved or improved. Every study is reviewed by an independent ethics committee and government regulators before it can start.

• Healthy volunteers are people without major medical conditions who usually don’t take regular medication. They often join early studies to see how a new medicine acts in the body.
• Patient participants take part in studies focused on treating or understanding a specific medical condition they already have.
• Every study page clearly lists the criteria (the rules) for who can and cannot join.

Yes. We’re happy to speak with a trusted relative or your family doctor to explain the study and answer any questions. You are free to discuss all the materials with them before you decide to join.

• The first visit is the information session. This may take place online or on-site and lasts approximately one hour.
• The screening visit (medical examination) may take up to three hours, depending on the study, as it may include blood tests, ECGs, and additional examinations.
• We’ll inform you about these visits in advance so you can plan your time.

While every study is different, the general process looks like this:

1. Application: You contact us online or by phone and answer a few basic questions.
2. Pre-Screening: We check if a study might fit your health and availability.
3. Information & Consent: You get detailed written and verbal information and can ask questions. You only participate if you sign the consent form.
4. Screening (Medical Checkup): We do medical checks to confirm you can safely participate.
5. Study Visits or Clinic Stay: You attend scheduled visits or stay in the clinic. The study procedures are carried out, and your health is monitored.
6. Final Visit & Follow-up: We check that your health is as good as it was before the study. Some studies include follow-up phone calls.
7. Payment: After you complete the required procedures, your compensation (if applicable) is paid to you.

The study-specific information sheet explains all steps in detail.

• Visits (Out-patient studies) require short visits to the study centre, and you go home afterwards.
• Staying overnight (In-patient studies) involves a stay at the clinic for one or more nights. We’ll explain the house rules (e.g., leaving the ward, visitors) to you in advance.

For insurance and safety reasons, participants are not permitted to leave the study premises (including buildings and outdoor areas) during an inpatient stay. However, various leisure and recreational options are available within the study center.

You may bring comfortable clothes, hygiene items, laptops or tablets, and small snacks if they fit the study rules. We will inform you of any restrictions on food, nicotine, or other items. Weapons, illegal drugs, and pets are not allowed.

No. We cannot provide childcare, and for hygiene and safety reasons, animals are not allowed in clinical units.

Your safety is our highest priority. Depending on the study, we monitor your health using:

• Physical exams and basic health measurements (blood pressure, temperature, etc.)
• Blood and urine tests
• ECGs or other specialized tests
• Continuous observation during any overnight stays A qualified study doctor is responsible for the study, and our study nurses are available on site.

Clinical trials in Germany are subject to very strict laws and regulations, such as the German Medicinal Products Act (AMG) and the rules of Good Clinical Practice (GCP). These regulations are designed to ensure maximum participant safety.

Before any clinical study begins, extensive laboratory and preclinical testing is performed. In addition, approval from an independent ethics committee is required. For drug and vaccine studies, approval from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) or the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) is also mandatory.

At Probandeninfo, the safety of our participants and patients is always our highest priority. Our studies are conducted by highly qualified physicians and experienced medical staff. Before participation, you will undergo thorough medical examinations. If any safety concerns arise, you will not be admitted to the study. During the study, you will be closely medically monitored, and at the end, a comprehensive final examination will be conducted. In addition, a legally required participant insurance policy is in place.

For your own safety, it is also essential that you provide complete and accurate medical history information and follow the instructions of the Probandeninfo medical team.

Tell the study team immediately. A doctor will examine you and decide what is needed—additional tests, temporarily stopping, or ending your participation. Your well-being always comes before the continuation of the study.

Yes. Each study includes a legally required participant insurance. It provides coverage if a proven injury occurs that is related to the study. The exact terms and insurer details are provided before you decide.

Yes. Participation is always voluntary. We will arrange a final medical examination with you to ensure that your withdrawal from the study takes place under safe conditions.

We run studies with healthy volunteers and patients who have specific conditions. Each study has its own rules for age, health, and medication. When you contact us, we ask a few questions and check whether a current or upcoming study may be right for you.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no — it completely depends on the study. Certain conditions or medicines might interact with the study medicine or affect your safety. Please tell us openly which medicines you take and which diagnoses you have. A study doctor will assess whether participation is safe for you.

No. Pregnant and breastfeeding women generally cannot participate in clinical trials unless the study is specifically designed for them (which is very rare). Pregnancy tests may be required before and during the study.

Most studies require a waiting period before you can join another trial. The length depends on the study medication. This rule protects your health and prevents study results from influencing each other. We track this for you and inform you when you can safely join a new study.

Most studies offer financial compensation for your time and inconvenience. The amount depends on the number of visits, procedures, and the duration. This amount is explained clearly before you decide.

The amount of the expense allowance varies from study to study, as the duration and associated effort differ. This means that the allowance compensates for your time and potential inconvenience — not for risk. This is a legal and ethical requirement.

For many patient studies, reasonable travel costs and hotel stays may be reimbursed. For studies with healthy volunteers, any overnight stays are usually at the clinic. All details are explained before you decide.

Payment is usually made after key visits or after you have successfully completed the study. Payments are made by bank transfer.

Depending on your personal situation, compensation may be subject to income tax. We cannot provide tax advice. Please consult a tax advisor if you need guidance. 

We process your data according to GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and national data-protection laws. We only collect the information that is absolutely necessary for the study. All data is stored securely.

• Only authorized CRS staff can see your identifiable data (personal information that can be linked to you).
• For the study sponsors, monitors, and authorities, your data are provided in a coded form (using a subject number instead of your name). CRS securely keeps the “key” to this code, so all GDPR protections still apply.

No. Your employer or health insurance will not receive your study data unless you explicitly ask us to share it or if we are legally required to share it.

If you wish, we can keep your contact details and inform you about future studies. You may withdraw this permission at any time. We will then stop contacting you and delete your data (unless legal rules require us to keep it for a certain time).

Yes. We repeat key examinations to confirm your health status.

After completing a study, you may be required to observe a mandatory waiting period before participating in another clinical trial.

You will receive contact details for the study team and an emergency contact. If you have concerns, please contact us or your family doctor immediately.

Upon request, you will receive your examination results from the screening and Follow-Up Visit. However, we are not permitted to share the specific study results of the individual clinical trial.