Evaluation Of Knowledge Regarding Clinical Research Among Medical Undergraduates-An Original Research

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the present research was to assess the knowledge regarding clinical research and clinical trials amongst medical undergraduate students.

Methodology: After obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee, this cross-sectional study was conducted in second to final year medical students after taking their consent. A sample of 100 was considered for statistical analysis. A structured questionnaire was used to measure the objective of this study, which had general, regulatory and ethical questions related to clinical trials. Qualitative data variables were expressed by using frequency and Percentage (%).

Results: Out of 100 students, it was observed that in the general questions category, 70% of students were aware of the purpose of conducting clinical trials, 50% were aware of the pre-requisites for a participant before participating in a clinical trial and 50% were aware of the parameters evaluated in a clinical trial. 95% of students did not know the response for regulatory questions. The students’ awareness regarding ethics related to clinical trials was better than the other two categories.

Conclusion: The overall awareness of clinical trials was low among students though they demonstrated good awareness regarding few aspects of clinical trials.