Key terms related to clinical trials

Hanna Hredil
Jan 20, 2023
1 min read

Updated: Jul 25, 2023

Clinical trials are a vital part of the medical research process and can have a huge impact on the development of new treatments, medicines, and therapies.

As such, it’s important for those interested in working in clinical trials to be familiar with the terminology used in this field.

Here is an overview of some key terms related to clinical trials so that you can be better prepared to work within this field.

Part 1

clinical trials

Research studies performed in people that are aimed at evaluating a medical, surgical, or behavioural intervention.

assess

Evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something.

monitor

To watch closely and frequently; to observe and make notes.

side-effects

Reactions to medicine other than the one intended.

rigorous

Strict; harsh; severe

vulnerable

adj.) open to attack; capable of being wounded or damaged; unprotected.

administration

The act of giving a treatment, such as a drug, to a patient.

intervention

In a clinical trial, participants receive specific interventions according to the research plan or protocol created by the investigators. These interventions may be medical products, such as drugs or devices; procedures; or changes to participants' behaviour, such as diet.

arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives specific interventions, or no intervention, according to the study protocol.

This is decided before the trial begins.