External Glossary Resources

The MRCT Center’s Clinical Research Glossary focuses primarily on plain language definitions for complex terms that are often used in clinical research materials and conversations.

In addition to the glossary here, general medical and disease-specific glossaries can be helpful to explain general and specific health conditions more clearly. These are listed below:

General Medical Glossaries

• CDISC Glossary (USA)
• European Medicines Agency medical terms simplifier (EU)
• Kingston Health Sciences Center (Canada)
• National Institutes of Health Jargon Buster (USA)
• NHS Health Research Authority Glossary (UK)
• The University of Michigan Plain Language Medical Dictionary (USA)
• United Health Group Just Plain Clear Glossary (USA)

Glossaries Focusing on Cancer

• Common Cancer Testing Terms (USA)
• Food and Drug Administration Patient-Friendly Language for Cancer Clinical Trials (USA)
• National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms (USA)
• The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Informed Consent Language (ICL) database (USA)

Other Specialized Glossaries

• NCATS Toolkit for Patient-Focused Therapy Development (USA) 
• National Health Council Real World Evidence Glossary (USA) 

Have another great resource to add to this list? Contact us to let us know!