Clinical trials are studies designed to assess the efficacy and safety of drugs or medical devices by observing their effects on large populations. These trials can be undertaken by government health bodies like the NIH, hospital or university researchers, independent scientists, or private companies. Participants are often volunteers, though sometimes they may be compensated. Participants are usually divided into multiple groups, including a control group which either does not receive the experimental treatment, receives a placebo, or is given an established therapy for comparison.Typically, the outcomes of clinical trials inform government agencies in their decision to approve or reject new treatments. Although they play a crucial role in preventing harmful treatments from reaching the market, clinical trials may not always identify all adverse effects, especially those related to long-term use or drug interactions.For some patients, clinical trials offer access to potentially groundbreaking therapies that are otherwise unavailable. Individuals with challenging or "incurable" conditions, such as specific cancer types, might consider joining these trials if conventional treatments have proven ineffective. In some instances, clinical trials can be lifesaving.Clinical trials can result in one of four outcomes:- Positive outcome: The trial demonstrates that the new treatment significantly benefits patients and surpasses standard treatment.- Equivalent outcome: The trial indicates that the new treatment is on par with the standard treatment, often referred to as a non-inferiority trial.- Inconclusive outcome: The trial reveals that the new treatment is neither clearly better nor worse than the standard treatment.- Negative outcome: The trial finds that the new treatment is less effective than the standard treatment.
