A Study to Assess the Knowledge of Medical Students on Clinical Trials in Madurai Medical College

BACKGROUND The fundamental tools of modern medicine are clinical research. There is an increasing trend to undertake clinical trials in India in recent years, but its awareness among health care professionals remain far less from satisfactory. AIM To evaluate general awareness regarding clinical trials among undergraduate medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS A questionnaire based study was conducted among undergraduate medical students of Madurai Medical College. Questionnaire was given to a group of 101 medical students. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of data. Frequency was expressed in percentage. RESULTS It was observed that there was good awareness about concept of clinical trials (73.3 %) IEC (49.5 %) and role of FDA (50.5 %). There was average awareness about need of clinical trial (44.6 %), participation in clinical trials (53.5 %) pre-clinical and clinical testing (47.5 %), 61.4 % of them were in the poor response category for the statement regarding trial procedures. CONCLUSION As in upcoming years clinical research opens a door for huge job opportunities, Future Investigators need to be trained in their basic education days about the methodology of the clinical trial. Efforts like conducting CMEs, workshops, symposiums will help us to create a more widespread awareness of clinical research amongst the medical community.