Clinical Research and Healthcare

Students

Jul 1

Clinical research is a part of healthcare science and it determines how effective and safe diagnostic products, devices, and medications really are. Basically, it studies things that can be used for the diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention of diseases.

Clinical research is very different from other clinical practices. In clinical practice, the focus is on treatments already in use. In clinical research, evidence and innovation is creating new treatments for clinical practice.

The Scope

Clinical research is a broad term that refers to the study and testing of biologics, devices, and drugs. It includes any tests from lab inception all the way to introduction to the market.

First, a molecule or candidate to be tested has to be identified first. This is usually happening in a lab. Pre-clinical studies are then done on the chosen candidate, and then tested on animals. This is where efficacy and toxicity are determined and studied before being tested on humans.

Due to the risks, clinical research has to be authorized by the necessary bodies. A lot of supervision and care has to be taken to ensure that all test subjects are well taken care of and safe. This is because trials need to be conducted on humans, healthy or otherwise, before any drug is approved for market and mass consumption.

Where is it conducted?

In most cases, this kind of research is done at medical centers, especially the academic ones. There are also affiliated study sites that can be used. The sites are situated in areas where there is a high chance of getting many medical participants. There are review boards and regulatory bodies, such as the FDA, that make sure that clinical research is carried out in an ethical manner.

Clinical research involves a very complex network and all have to work for the benefit of everyone. To learn more, check out our website CCRPS.

Take courses from CCRPS and learn more on how to become a clinical research professional.

Featured