Clinical protocols

Written plans or guidelines that specify procedures to be followed in performing a specific examination, treating certain injuries, conducting research, providing medical care for a particular condition, and evaluating appropriateness of certain procedures. Also known as medical protocols or protocols.

Clinical psychologist

Health care professional that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide range of personality, mental, and behavioral disorders. Generally, clinical psychologists are state licensed and may practice independently. Many insurance companies pay for their services. However, they do not treat physical causes of mental disease with drugs or other medical or surgical treatments because they are not licensed to practice medicine. Also see psychologist.

Clinical social worker (CSW)

Individual who has obtained a degree in social work, met the requirements of being supervised in clinical social work, and obtained state licensure or certification. A CSW provides psychotherapy or counseling in many types of health care settings. Also referred to as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

Clinical staff

Employees in a medical practice who perform mainly clinical duties such as physician, physician assistant, clinical medical assistant, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse practitioner, and technicians.

Clinical trial

Research to ensure that new vaccines, drugs, treatments, etc., are safe and effective. Participants must be advised of their rights to compensation in the event of consequential injury, illness or impairment otherwise the trial will not be authorised under European legislation or by an ethics committee. See CLINICAL TRIAL INSURANCE.

Clinical Trial Insurance Policy for Liability Insurance

The policy covers the sum which the insured shall be liable to pay as damages/compensation for claims made by subjects for death or injury or any other adverse reaction in the body as a result of participating in clinical trial. The term insured would include all stakeholders in the trial. The cover includes legal costs also. Breaches of data may also be covered. The policy is generally issued on NO Fault principle. The policy may be a single trial or multi trial policy. Post-trial coverage is also offered for a limited period as decided. The territorial limits are also specified. The policy does not extend to cover (i) Damages within permissible limits as are to be expected within such trials. (ii) Deliberate contravention of instructions by the subject (iii) Deterioration in condition which would normally have occurred even without the trial (iv) War and nuclear perils (v) Fines and Penalties.

Clinical trials

One of the final stages of a long and careful research process to help patients live longer, healthier lives. Clinical trials help doctors and researchers find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases. They test new types of medical care such as how well a new cancer drug works and if it is safe. The trials may also be used to compare different treatments for the same condition to see which is better or to test new uses for treatments already employed.