Clinical studies

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Clinical Studies

Clinical studies (pronunciation: /ˈklɪnɪkəl ˈstʌdɪz/) are a type of research that involve human participants to evaluate the effects of interventions or treatments on health outcomes. These studies are designed to answer specific questions about biomedical or behavioral interventions, including new treatments (such as novel vaccines, drugs, dietary choices, dietary supplements, and medical devices) and known interventions that warrant further study and comparison.

Etymology

The term "clinical" is derived from the Greek word "klinikos", which means "bed". This refers to the practice of caring for patients at their bedsides. The term "study" comes from the Latin word "studium", which means "zeal" or "devotion". Thus, a clinical study refers to the devoted investigation of medical treatments or interventions in a clinical setting.

Types of Clinical Studies

Clinical studies can be broadly divided into two types: Observational Studies and Clinical Trials.

  • Observational Studies observe people in their natural settings. Researchers gather information, group volunteers according to broad characteristics, and compare changes over time.
  • Clinical Trials are where investigators give the research subjects a certain medicine or treatment to observe the effects. These trials are typically divided into different phases, from Phase I Trials to Phase IV Trials.

Importance of Clinical Studies

Clinical studies are crucial in the field of medicine as they allow for the discovery of new treatments and methods to prevent, detect, or reduce the symptoms of diseases. They can also help to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses.

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