What is clinical research? Clinical research is a component of medical science that involves studying human participants to evaluate medical, surgical, or behavioural interventions. This type of research aims to advance our understanding of medical conditions, develop new treatments, and improve existing therapies.
Read to explore the role more, and learn how Bay River College ensures graduates are ready for success.
What Is Clinical Research? An Overview
What is clinical research? Or, what do you mean by clinical research? The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) explains clinical research as “research with the goal of improving the diagnosis, and treatment (including rehabilitation and palliation), of disease and injury; improving the health and quality of life of individuals as they pass through normal life stages.”
Clinical research, involving human participants, is essential for determining the safety and efficacy of new treatments, medications, and devices. Conducted in phases, it starts with small-scale safety trials and progresses to larger studies evaluating effectiveness. Research can be observational, monitoring participants in natural settings, or interventional, where participants are assigned specific treatments to observe outcomes.
What Are Examples of Clinical Research?
Examples of clinical research include clinical trials, epidemiological studies, behavioral research, genetic research, and applied clinical research:
- Clinical Trials: Essential studies that test the safety and effectiveness of new medical interventions.
- Epidemiological Studies: Focus on understanding how health and disease conditions are distributed across populations.
- Behavioral Research: Investigates how lifestyle and behaviors influence health outcomes and disease management.
- Genetic Research: Delves into the role of genes in health, offering insights for personalized medicine.
- Applied Clinical Research: Bridges the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world patient care, enhancing treatment strategies.
What Is the Main Goal of Clinical Research?
The primary goal of clinical research is to improve human health by advancing the understanding of diseases and developing safer, more effective treatments. Through rigorous testing and analysis, clinical research aims to:
- Develop New Treatments: By testing new drugs, therapies, and medical devices, clinical research paves the way for innovative treatments that can improve patient outcomes.
- Enhance Existing Therapies: Clinical research helps refine current treatments by identifying optimal dosages, treatment durations, and patient populations that benefit most.
- Improve Patient Care: By understanding the effects of various interventions, clinical research informs best practices and guidelines for healthcare providers.
- Ensure Safety and Efficacy: Rigorous testing in clinical research ensures that new treatments are safe and effective before being widely implemented in clinical practice.
Clinical Significance in Research
What is clinical significance in research? Clinical significance refers to the real-world importance of study findings, beyond statistical significance, by determining if results have practical implications for patient care.
A treatment must show statistical and clinical significance by providing tangible benefits, like improved survival or quality of life. In applied clinical research, the focus is on turning statistical findings into meaningful clinical outcomes that influence treatment decisions.
Launch Your Career At Bay River College
Bay River College’s 40-week Applied Clinical Research Program prepares you for a clinical research career with 520 hours of theory and 280 hours of practicum. Available online, in-person, or blended, the program covers research design, data analysis, and quality assurance, offering practical experience to develop the skills needed for success in healthcare and pharmaceutical roles.
“We are delighted to see our graduates go on to achieve great things and make a meaningful difference in the world. At Bay River College, we believe that education is a transformative experience, and we are honoured to be a part of our students’ journeys toward their futures,” says Mr. Arshad Mahmood, Director of Bay River College.
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Contact Bay River College for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What do you mean by clinical research?
Answer: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) explains clinical research as “research with the goal of improving the diagnosis, and treatment (including rehabilitation and palliation), of disease and injury; improving the health and quality of life of individuals as they pass through normal life stages.
Question: What are examples of clinical research?
Answer: Examples of clinical research include clinical trials, epidemiological studies, behavioral research, genetic research, and applied clinical research.
Question: What Is the Main Goal of Clinical Research?
Answer: The primary goal of clinical research is to improve human health by advancing the understanding of diseases and developing safer, more effective treatments.
