Clinical Research Personnel
Although clinical researchers conduct the actual research performed in this field, they are supported by biostatisticians, health informatics scientists, pathologists, research nurses and a host of others discussed below.
Clinical Researchers
Clinical research scientists include physicians (M.D.s), who treat patients, (often within the constraints of scientific studies referred to as clinical trials) as well as smaller numbers of PhD's who work entirely in the lab.
Clinical researchers:
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- Test new imaging, radiology and surgical techniques using clinical trials in the hope of improving the practice of these specialties.
- Test new psychosocial and prevention strategies
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve new drugs and medical devices (but not dietary supplements) before they can be advertised or sold to the general public. The FDA began overseeing the safety of new treatments in the late 1930s, but didn't require proof of effectiveness until the early 1960s. Today, new drugs and medical devices must go through several phases of clinical trials (discussed further in this chapter) before being approved for use.
Many medicines and drugs work in laboratory tests, but they must be shown to be safe and effective for people before they can be approved by the regulatory authorities and prescribed for patients by doctors.
Clinical research is typically carried out in the hospital setting and usually involves patients in what is known as a clinical trial. Clinical trials show us what works (and what doesn't) in medicine. They are the best way for doctors to learn what is safe and effective in treating cancer.
Biostatisticians
Biostatisticians are statisticians who apply their skills in health-related fields. They typically collaborate with other researchers in the health care field, designing clinical studies, collecting data, and analyzing datasets in pursuit of answers to specific questions.
