Clinical Research

General information

• Treatment Research generally involves an intervention such as medication, psychotherapy, new devices, or new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy.
• Prevention Research looks for better ways to prevent disorders from developing or returning. Different kinds of prevention research may study medicines, vitamins, vaccines, minerals, or lifestyle changes.
• Diagnostic Research refers to the practice of looking for better ways to identify a particular disorder or condition.
• Screening Research aims to find the best ways to detect certain disorders or health conditions.

Phases of clinical trials:

When clinical research is used to evaluate medications and devices clinical trials are a kind of clinical research designed to evaluate and test new interventions such as psychotherapy or medications. Clinical trials are often conducted in four phases. The trials at each phase have a different purpose and help scientists answer different questions.

• Phase I trials
  Researchers test an experimental drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time. The researchers evaluate the treatment’s safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
• Phase II trials
  The experimental drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
• Phase III trials
  The experimental study drug or treatment is given to large groups of people. Researchers confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely.
• Phase IV trials
  Post-marketing studies, which are conducted after a treatment is approved for use by the FDA, provide additional information including the treatment or drug’s risks, benefits, and best use.