Clinical trials are essential in advancing our knowledge and treatment of patients with respiratory disease. Conducting well-designed clinical studies which accurately and reliably answer important clinical questions is challenging. The expertise required to deliver such studies is increasingly concentrated in clinical trials units. This article will describe some of the challenges associated with clinical studies and the methods and personnel involved in a clinical trials unit.
© 2010 The Authors. Respirology © 2010 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.