28
LIVING
There are ethics
discussions and
parameters for
all trials and all
institutions that
undertake them.
Guinea pigs and lab rats…
Would you be one? Many have and more will as
researchers continue to ask for participants to take
part in trials to help find solutions and improvements
in diabetes care. We talk to a few and look at what's
involved. By Siobhan Ford and Sue Marshall
Clinical trials are vital to
check out and test new
treatments safely and
effectively to support
better care and outcomes for
patients. Otherwise known as
medical research studies, all
authorised trials involve a strict set of
approval and monitoring criteria and
the help and agreement of suitable
people to participate who are at the
centre of the trial.
Let's take a brief look at what
is involved in setting up a clinical
trial and the strict regulations and
checks involved to ensure patient
safety and good outcomes for better
care and quality of life. Trials must
follow good clinical practice which
is defined by the UK government as:
"Good clinical practice (GCP) is a set
of internationally-recognised ethical
and scientific quality requirements
that must be followed when
designing, conducting, recording