Clinical trials are research studies where people volunteer to help evaluate a new intervention. Interventions may be procedures or tests, that prevent, detect, treat or manage various diseases or medical conditions. A clinical trial helps to determine if an intervention works and is safe, and if it is better than the tests, procedures or medications already available.
A clinical trial may test the following:
- new drugs, not already approved for use
- vaccines
- devices
- surgical procedures
- behavioural therapies
- health service changes
- dietary changes
- educational interventions
- diagnostic or screening tests
- a new way to detect and treat disease.
Page last updated: July 4, 2024