Epoch

Epoch (medicine)

An epoch in medicine refers to a particular period in the course of a disease or the life of a person. It is a term often used in clinical trials to denote specific time periods during which certain procedures or observations are made.

Definition[edit | edit source]

In the context of medicine, an epoch is a specific period of time in the course of a disease, the life of a person, or a clinical study. It is a term often used in clinical trials to denote specific time periods during which certain procedures or observations are made.

Use in Clinical Trials[edit | edit source]

In clinical trials, epochs are used to structure the study design. Each epoch represents a distinct period in the trial, with specific procedures or observations assigned to it. For example, a trial might be divided into a screening epoch, a treatment epoch, and a follow-up epoch.

Screening Epoch[edit | edit source]

The screening epoch is the initial period of a clinical trial, during which potential participants are assessed for eligibility. This may involve medical history reviews, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests.

Treatment Epoch[edit | edit source]

The treatment epoch is the period during which participants receive the intervention being studied. This could be a drug, a medical device, a surgical procedure, or a behavioral intervention.

Follow-up Epoch[edit | edit source]

The follow-up epoch is the period after the intervention has been delivered, during which the effects of the intervention are monitored. This may involve regular check-ups, tests, and questionnaires.

Use in Medicine[edit | edit source]

In medicine, the term epoch can also refer to a specific period in the course of a disease or the life of a person. For example, the term "neonatal epoch" refers to the first 28 days of life, while the "infant epoch" refers to the first year of life.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Epoch Resources
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