Clinical

Clinical refers to the observation and treatment of actual patients, as opposed to theoretical or laboratory studies. It is a term often used in the healthcare and medical fields, and it is an essential part of the practice of medicine, nursing, and other healthcare professions.

Overview

The term "clinical" is derived from the Greek word "klinikos", which means "bed". In the medical context, it refers to the practice of medicine based on direct observation of patients. Clinical practice can take place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctor's offices.

Clinical Practice

In clinical practice, healthcare professionals apply their knowledge and skills to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. This involves a variety of tasks, such as taking a patient's medical history, performing physical examinations, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests, and prescribing medications or other treatments.

Clinical Research

Clinical research is a branch of healthcare science that determines the safety and effectiveness of medications, devices, diagnostic products, and treatment regimens intended for human use. These may be used for prevention, treatment, diagnosis, or for relieving symptoms of a disease.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies performed in people that are aimed at evaluating a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention. They are the primary way that researchers find out if a new treatment, like a new drug or diet or medical device is safe and effective in people.

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Some of the more common disorders that might be treated include learning disabilities, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

See Also

• Clinical laboratory
• Clinical data management
• Clinical governance
• Clinical trial protocol