Knowledge and Perception Regarding Clinical Trials Among Dental Students - A Questionnaire Based Study

Abstract

Clinical trials play an important role in improvement of quality on healthcare practice. Good clinical practice is a backbone of conductance of trials. A lack of knowledge may translate to a negative perception towards clinical trials. The study aims to evaluate the awareness of clinical trials among undergraduate dental students in a private dental institute. We have quantified the knowledge and perception of clinical trials by a structured validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to dental students from first year undergraduate to third year Postgraduate. The percentage of questions answered were calculated and tabulated in the excel sheet. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical software and the chi-square test was done. P valve was set as 0.05 as a level of significance. From statistical analysis, postgraduate students (59.2%) had better knowledge than undergraduate students (40.8%). Around (46.7%) had been involved in clinical trial training. Within the limitations of current study, students pursuing postgraduate had a better knowledge of clinical trial methodology than compared to undergraduate students.