Key Differences Between Clinical Research and Lab Research

While lab research involves conducting experiments in controlled settings, clinical research is carried out on actual patients. Lab research is mostly done to learn about the disease's biological processes and treatment options. Clinical research, on the other hand, aims to test the safety and efficacy of treatments on real patients in real-world settings. Clinical research requires specialized expertise, such as clinical research consulting, clinical development consulting, and clinical biostatistics consulting, to ensure proper planning and execution.

Lab research can involve studying isolated cells or tissues, while clinical research often involves studying the interaction between different systems in the body. Patients must give informed consent in clinical research, whereas lab research usually involves working with non-human subjects. Lastly, clinical research involves collecting and analyzing patient data, essential in developing new treatments and improving existing ones.