Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT)

Which stage of clinical trials mostly focuses on a treatment's effectiveness in comparison to standard care?

1. Phase I

2. Phase II

3. Phase III

4. Phase IV

The correct answer is: Phase III

The stage of clinical trials that primarily focuses on comparing the effectiveness of a new treatment to standard care is Phase III. This phase is critical as it involves a larger population sample and is designed to determine how well the experimental treatment works in a real-world setting compared to the currently accepted standard of care. During Phase III trials, researchers not only assess the treatment's efficacy but also gather information on the treatment's safety, side effects, and overall impact on quality of life. This extensive comparison provides valuable data necessary for regulatory approval and helps determine whether the new treatment should be recommended over existing options. Other phases serve different purposes: Phase I typically focuses on the safety of a treatment, Phase II assesses both efficacy and side effects but does so with a smaller group, and Phase IV occurs after a treatment is licensed to monitor its long-term effectiveness and safety in the general population.