What is a clinical trial?
With the coronavirus pandemic looming large in our nation and around the world, there are researchers and scientists around the globe trying to find a vaccine to immunize everyone from this deadly pathogen.
In order to find a vaccine that works, researchers must develop a vaccine that is safe. Once they develop a safe vaccine, they must test it on humans to see if it works.
Although there are many definitions of clinical trials, they are generally considered to be biomedical or health-related research studies in human beings that follow a pre-defined protocol.
There are interventional and observational types of studies. In interventional studies, participants are assigned to receive one or more interventions/treatment (or no intervention) and researchers evaluate the outcomes of the treatment.
Observational studies are designed to assess potential causes and health outcomes in participants according to the research plan and are not assigned a specific intervention/treatment.
Why participate in a clinical trial?
Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their