What Is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial (also called clinical research) is a research study using human volunteers designed to determine the safety and effectiveness of a drug, biologic (such as a vaccine), device (such as prosthesis) or other treatment or behavioral intervention. Carefully con­ducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people and methods to improve health. Interventional trials determine whether experimental treat­ments or new ways of using known therapies are safe and effective under controlled envi­ronments. Observational trials address health issues in large groups of people or populations in natural settings.

Updated: October 2, 2015 — 4:07 am