Clinical research is the study of health and illness in humans. It focuses on improving knowledge of diseases, developing diagnostic methods and new treatments or medical devices to ensure better patient care. Clinical research trials are carefully designed, reviewed and completed, and must be approved before they can start. All clinical research must: have the goal of increasing medical knowledge be carried out by competent persons taking all necessary measures to protect those who lend themselves to research obtain regulatory approvals and take all the necessary legal and ethical steps collect the consent of those involved in research