The Integration of Lifestyle Factors in Clinical Research Studies – How can meaningful evidence be generated to evaluate the impact of lifestyle changes on health outcomes?
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Authors
Kieran, Richard
Issue Date
2023
Type
Thesis
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to examine the current state of clinical research into how lifestyle factors
can impact health outcomes in chronic disease, and to test the hypothesis that such research has lagged
studies of drug therapy in terms of delivering actionable results.
The research was conducted firstly by completing a thorough literature review of the topic, and then gathering
primary data through a series of structured interviews with a panel of contributors drawn from Academia,
Industry, and the Medical Profession.
The findings were illuminating, and supported the published material but also went further; exposing a broad
level of dissatisfaction with many aspects of the current clinical research process and how the results of this
research is reviewed, published and disseminated to healthcare professionals and patients.
The conclusion is inescapable – the field of clinical research requires a significant overhaul if it is to deliver
meaningful evidence in the increasingly complex world of modern medicine.
A number of pragmatic suggestions for further research were developed, including a concept to address the
risk of skewed trial results arising from manufacturers sponsoring and designing trials of their own products,
and an initiative to fundamentally rebalance the clinical research ecosystem by involving a broad spectrum of
stakeholders at every stage in the process