Here’s why the demand for clinical researchers will surge post COVID-19

With the number of infectious disease outbreaks gradually but inexorably increasing, the world would need an army of clinical researchers to create life-saving medicines

It was the end of December 2019. Pneumonia of an unknown cause was detected in the city of Wuhan, China. Investigations by the World Health Organisation (WHO) began to identify the cause of this “unidentified illness.” On February 11, 2020, the disease was named as COVID-19, and on March 11, the outbreak was declared as a pandemic.

Almost nine months after the first Corona positive case was found, the disease has affected over 29 million people and taken over 924000 lives globally. Amidst the despair and unknowns unfolding every day, the world is looking with hope at clinical researchers, who are racing against time to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. 

The power of clinical researchers

Such is the power of this profession that it can make a difference in the well-being and health of millions of people. With diseases crossing borders and impacting a sizable population in no time, outbreak readiness becomes indispensable to protect the lives and livelihoods of people.

In a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Peter Sands, Research Fellow, Harvard Global Health Institute, writes, “The number and diversity of infectious disease outbreaks are gradually but inexorably increasing, as is their capacity to send shocks through our global economic systems. As we travel, trade, and communicate across an increasingly hyperconnected global economy, more and more companies will find themselves exposed to the effects of outbreaks that begin thousands of miles away.”

For fighting future epidemics, the world would need an army of clinical researchers to create life-saving medicines, enhance the efficiency, quality, and safety of biomedical research, inspire industry growth and investment, as well as increase public understanding and confidence.

Clinical research enables health care professionals to develop new therapies and diagnostic procedures and medical devices to ensure improved patient care. A look at the history of clinical research will take us back to the famous 1747 scurvy trial conducted by James Lind, a Scottish doctor who studied the effect of citrus fruit on the disease. Another major intervention in the field was by Edward Jenner, who is credited with creating the world’s first vaccine. Since the Scurvy trial, clinical research has evolved into a standardized procedure with the invention of novel therapies and technologies.

India has recently been recognised as an important destination for clinical research. As the discipline of drug development progresses every day, there will always be a continuing need for clinical researchers. 

Why opt for UPES?

The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) School of Health Sciences is one of the few academic institutions in the country offering M.Sc. in Clinical Research – a two-year postgraduate course that aims at providing experiential learning with a comprehensive curriculum. This program adopts innovative methodologies in research and training for improving job prospects for the students, enabling them to meet the increasing demand for skilled persons for healthcare, biomedical and pharma industries.

After the completion of this course, students can get lucrative employment opportunities in clinical research organizations, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical colleges, and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), to name a few.

Sources: WHO, WEF, National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)