Clinical research and clinical laboratory sciences are two different areas of medical sciences, while operating in environments that are relatively similar. They are very different, and understanding the difference is crucial for anyone who wishes to work in clinical research.
Clinical Research
Clinical research is research that involves human beings. This may involve testing out different medications or different treatment methods for a certain illness.
Clinical laboratory sciences, also known as medical laboratory sciences, are the study of the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of medical disorders by the use of specialized library information and services. It entails carrying out tests, creating new laboratory processes and experiments, or analyzing results.
Clinical research, on the other hand, uses actual people as research subjects. It involves the testing of new medications or treatment methods on humans. Clinical researchers hold MDs or PhDs. Because there are more work choices and higher compensation, they can pursue both careers.
Clinical research includes clinical trials. Trials are strictly controlled study of new and developing therapies. In order to assess the effectiveness of new drugs, preventive measures, and tests for safety, this research needs human to take part in the studies.
Clinical research provides doctors from different disciplines with the opportunity to assess new types of treatments, determine the best ways to use recent advances in medicine, and provide their patients with the best possible medical care.
Lab Research
Lab based research occurs in a lab. This could be a lab in a medical school, a college, or a biology lab. However, it entails doing research using materials other than humans.
Professors in colleges, especially those that prioritize research, typically conduct laboratory research. The goal of laboratory research is to assist medical professionals in better comprehending the underlying causes of a certain disease and evaluating the efficacy of currently available treatments. The creation of new therapies may require the use of this expertise.
Clinical Laboratory Scientists must hold undergraduate degrees in clinical laboratory sciences from institutions authorised by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), following which they can take the (ASCP) American Society for Clinical Pathology’s certification exams.
Clinical Research vs Lab Research
, whether it be a biology or chemistry lab, laboratory research is done. in laboratory research.
| Clinical Research | Lab Research |
| Work on humans is involved | Work on humans is not involved |
| uses scientific investigation to investigate illness and health in individuals and provide answers to medical and behavioral concerns | employs laboratory information and services to assist diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases |
| Conducted by doctors | Conducted by professors in colleges or universities |
| helps doctors test new medicines, find the best methods to use advances in medicine, and give their patients the possible medical care | helps medical professionals understand disease origins and evaluate treatment efficacy |
1- While lab research employs laboratory information and services to assist diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases, clinical research uses scientific investigation to investigate illness and health in individuals and provide answers to medical and behavioral concerns.
2- Clinical laboratory scientists must complete a four-year Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science, or medical technology from NAACLS institutions, while clinical researchers must have a bachelor’s degree in a life science field and graduate-level education such as an MD or PhD before becoming certified.
3-While clinical laboratory scientists carry out laboratory tests that assist in the treatments, diagnosis, and monitoring of patients, clinical research professionals design and carry out studies to investigate diseases and methods of treatment, ensure that drugs, drug potency, doses, and methods for mass manufacturing are standardized, develop new studies that can improve health outcomes, apply for funding from private and public sectors, and write research grant proposals.
Conclusion
Even though lab research differs greatly from clinical research, it is impossible to overestimate its importance in medical science because it frequently serves as the basis for significant medical advancements.
The investigative and scientific approaches used by both medical sciences fields are comparable, although different methodological approaches, work responsibilities, and institutional accreditation are among them.
