Clinical research is a vital process that helps medical professionals develop new treatments and medications. Without clinical research, we would not have many of the life-saving drugs and treatments that we have today. If you are interested in a career in clinical research, there are a few things you should know. In this blog post, we will cover what clinical research is, the different types of clinical research jobs, and the skills you need to be successful in a clinical research jobs.
What is Clinical Research?
Clinical research is the scientific study of new drugs, treatments, and medical devices. The purpose of clinical research is to determine whether a new drug or treatment is effective and safe for human use. Clinical research is conducted in three phases.
Phase I clinical trials test a new drug or treatment on a small group of people (usually 20-80) for the first time to evaluate its safety.
Phase II clinical trials test a new drug or treatment on a larger group of people (usually 100-300) to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase III clinical trials test a new drug or treatment on an even larger group of people (usually 1,000-3,000) to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to existing treatments, and collect additional information about its safety.
After Phase III trials are completed, the data from all three phases are submitted to the FDA for approval.
Types of Clinical Research Jobs
There are many different types of jobs available in clinical research. Some common job titles include:
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Clinical Research Nurse
Clinical Study Manager
Principal Investigator
Research Pharmacist
Data Manager/Analyst
Skills You Need for a Career in Clinical Research
Organizational Skills: Clinical research studies involve coordinating many different activities and team members. You will need to be able to keep track of numerous details and deadlines. Strong organizational skills are essential for success in this field.
Communication Skills: Good communication is critical in any job, but it is especially important in clinical research where you will be working with patients, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. You will need to be able to clearly explain complex medical information to people with different levels of understanding.
Interpersonal Skills: Being able to build strong relationships with your team members is important in any job; however, it is essential in clinical research where you will often be working with people from other cultures who speak different languages. You must be able to work well with others and resolve conflicts effectively.
Problem-Solving Skills: Things do not always go according to plan in clinical research studies. You need to be able to troubleshoot problems quickly and efficiently so that the study can stay on track. Critical Thinking Skills: There is a lot of data collected during clinical trials which needs to be analyzed carefully before decisions can be made about the efficacy of a new drug or treatment. You need to be able evaluate data critically and make sound judgments about next steps based on that data.
