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What are the Different Types of Medical Research?

Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Medical research is vital to learning how to identify, prevent, and treat various diseases. In fact, knowledge gained from biomedical research studies conducted over the last 100-plus years has greatly improved human health and life expectancy. In addition, advancements made in research methodologies have enhanced the field of experimental medicine itself, leading to the discovery of new medicines and preventative measures. However, there are several different types of medical research, and each is represented by a specific set of ethical standards and protocols.

From a broad perspective, there are two primary types of medical research that serve as umbrella phases for more specific types of research. The first phase, known as pre-clinical research, aims to create a safety summary in connection with a health product or drug before being tested on humans. The next phase is clinical research, which consists of clinical trials to observe the overall safety of a product or medicine in humans, as well as efficacy. In addition, clinical medical research is largely comparison-based and driven by analyzing results initiated by the product or drug as opposed to a placebo.

Medical research might focus on disease prevention or clinical trials to test new drugs.
Medical research might focus on disease prevention or clinical trials to test new drugs.

Clinical trials can also be broken down by type, or phases, which is defined by the sampling size and duration of the medical research. For instance, phase I clinical trials typically involve less than 100 human subjects and run up to 12 months, while phase II clinical trials may include several hundred subjects and last up to 24 months. Finally, phase III clinical trials can involve hundreds or even thousands of people and last up to four years. Medical research that exceeds these numbers of subjects and study periods are referred to as observational studies. A prime example of the latter is the Framingham Heart Study, which has been tracking more than 5,000 men and women since 1948.

Medical research can include clinical trials of a new medication.
Medical research can include clinical trials of a new medication.

Other types of medical research target more specific issues relating to health. For instance, prevention studies seek to prevent illness by examining the role of lifestyle in the risk of developing certain diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. When it is determined that a lifestyle or behavior is a contributing risk factor, then intervention studies are often launched to look for ways that more positive habits may help to reduce this risk. Sometimes, risk patterns emerge across varying ethic groups or regional populations, which are identified by epidemiological studies.

The first phase of medical research is pre-clinical research, which creates  a safety summary in connection with a health product or drug.
The first phase of medical research is pre-clinical research, which creates a safety summary in connection with a health product or drug.

Medical research studies take place all over the world, of course, but are regulated by the home government of the research facility or university. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration monitors research guidelines and procedures. In Japan, the regulatory authority is the Ministry of Health. In much of Europe, medical research is regulated by the European Medicines Agency.

Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Contributing articles to TheHealthBoard is just one of Karyn’s many professional endeavors. She is also a magazine writer and columnist, mainly for health-related publications, as well as the author of four books. Karyn lives in New York’s Catskill Mountain region and specializes in topics about green living and botanical medicine.

Learn more...
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Contributing articles to TheHealthBoard is just one of Karyn’s many professional endeavors. She is also a magazine writer and columnist, mainly for health-related publications, as well as the author of four books. Karyn lives in New York’s Catskill Mountain region and specializes in topics about green living and botanical medicine.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Rundocuri

The role of medical research volunteers should also not be overlooked Talentryto. Without people who are willing to participate in clinical trials, new cures for many diseases and health conditions would not be possible.

Talentryto
Though we may not think about medical research trials when we seek medical attention for various problems, they are, in fact, what is behind many treatments and cures. Medical research center staff members are always in search of new treatments and cures as well.
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    • Medical research might focus on disease prevention or clinical trials to test new drugs.
      By: VILevi
      Medical research might focus on disease prevention or clinical trials to test new drugs.
    • Medical research can include clinical trials of a new medication.
      By: chaoss
      Medical research can include clinical trials of a new medication.
    • The first phase of medical research is pre-clinical research, which creates  a safety summary in connection with a health product or drug.
      By: kasto
      The first phase of medical research is pre-clinical research, which creates a safety summary in connection with a health product or drug.
    • Medical researchers often work in labs run by hospitals, universities, or the government.
      By: Darren Baker
      Medical researchers often work in labs run by hospitals, universities, or the government.