Glossary Term
Multicenter Clinical Trial
Definition
A multicenter clinical trial is a research study conducted simultaneously at multiple geographic locations or clinical sites, often involving different hospitals, universities, or medical centers. These trials assess the safety, efficacy, and performance of a medical device, drug, or therapy in a broader and more diverse patient population to ensure generalizability of the findings.
Relevance to the MedTech Industry
Multicenter clinical trials aim to generate reliable and comprehensive data by including diverse patient populations and clinical environments. They improve the robustness of the results, help minimize bias, and provide stronger evidence for regulatory approval and clinical adoption.
Additional Information & Related Terms
Related Terms
Single-Center Trial: A clinical trial conducted at one location, often used in early phases or feasibility studies.
Good Clinical Practice (GCP): International ethical and scientific standards for designing, conducting, and reporting clinical trials.
Clinical Trial Protocol: A detailed plan outlining the objectives, methodology, and operational aspects of the trial.
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT): A trial design that randomly assigns participants to test groups to eliminate bias and ensure robust data.
Post-Market Surveillance (PMS): The ongoing monitoring of a device’s performance after regulatory approval, often using multicenter trials.