Depending on what the researchers are examining, several forms of clinical research are employed. The following are descriptions of many types of clinical research.
Treatment In most cases, research entails an intervention such as medicine, psychotherapy, new equipment, or novel methods to surgery or radiation treatment.
Prevention research seeks improved strategies to prevent illnesses from forming or recurring. Various types of preventative research may investigate medications, vitamins, vaccinations, minerals, or lifestyle modifications.
Diagnostic research is the practise of seeking improved techniques to detect a certain ailment or condition.
Screening research seeks to discover the most effective methods for detecting certain illnesses or health issues.
Quality of Life Research looks on methods to increase comfort and quality of life for those who have a chronic disease.
Genetic research aims to enhance disease prediction by finding and understanding how genes and illnesses may be linked. This research may look at how a person’s genes make him or her more or less prone to acquire a condition. This might lead to the creation of personalised medicines based on a patient’s genetic makeup.
Epidemiological studies strive to uncover the trends, causes, and management of illnesses in populations.
It’s worth noting that some clinical trials are “outpatient,” which means that participants don’t remain in the hospital overnight. Some are “inpatient,” which means that volunteers must remain in the hospital or research centre for at least one night. Make careful to inquire about the researchers’ study requirements.
Clinical trial phases: the stages at which clinical research is utilised to test drugs and technology.
Clinical trials are a kind of clinical research that is used to examine and test novel therapies like psychotherapy or drugs. Clinical trials are typically done in four stages. Each phase’s experiments serve a particular function and aid scientists in answering various issues.
Phase I clinical trials
For the first time, researchers put an experimental medicine or therapy to the test on a small sample of individuals. The researchers assess the treatment’s safety, establish a safe dose range, and identify any adverse effects.
Phase II clinical trials
The experimental medicine or therapy is administered to a wider group of patients to determine its efficacy and safety.
Phase III clinical trials
Large groups of individuals are given the experimental trial medication or therapy. Researchers validate its efficacy, monitor adverse effects, compare it to frequently used therapies, and gather data that will enable the experimental medicine or therapy to be administered safely.
Trials in Phase IV
Post-marketing studies, which are undertaken after a therapy is cleared for use by the FDA, give new information such as the risks, benefits, and recommended usage of the treatment or medicine.
Examples of several types of clinical research
Many individuals assume that clinical research always entails the testing of new drugs or technology. This is not the case. Some studies may not require medication testing, thus a person’s current prescriptions may not need to be altered. Healthy volunteers are also required so that researchers may compare their findings to those of patients suffering from the ailment under investigation. The following are some examples of different types of research:
- A long-term research project that includes psychological testing or brain scans.
- A genetic investigation that includes blood testing but no drug modifications.
- A family history research that entails speaking with family members to learn about people’s medical requirements and background.
