What Is Clinical Research?
Also known as clinical trials, clinical research is research studies performed on people for the comprehensive study of the safety and effectiveness of the most promising advances in patient care.
Clinical research involves research physicians that test a medication, device, treatment approach, or medication dose. It also includes physician investigators who determine the best process to use the new treatment. They also identify the types of patients who are likely to benefit most from the treatment.
About Clinical Research
All clinical research in the United States is reviewed and approved by an accredited, independent review board (IRB) composed of physicians and statisticians to ensure the trial is ethical, participants’ rights are protected, and risks are minimal.
What to Expect
The goal of clinical trials is to find new and better ways of preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases to help improve the quality of life for people with certain diseases and illnesses.
Types of Clinical Research Include:
- Natural history studies – gathering information about health and disease
- Screening trials – identifying how to detect a disease or condition
- Diagnostic trials – determining the best tests or procedures for diagnoses
- Treatment trials
- Prevention trials – preventing diseases from occurring and recurring
- Quality of life (or supportive care) trials – identifying ways to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illness
Things to Consider Before Enrolling in A Clinical Research Benefits
- Helping others who have the same disease
- Access to new treatments that are safer or work better than current options before they are available to others
- This may increase the number of your treatment options
- Taking a more active role in your health care
- Receiving medical care and attention from doctors and other health care practitioners
Risks
- The new treatment may have unknown side effects or other risks
- The new treatment may not work for you even if it helps others
- Potential complications that require additional medical attention
- More additional treatments, tests, and hospital stays
Lifeguide Healthcare believes that clinical research is critical to improving care for people around the world. Contact us for more information.