title: A brief history of the randomized controlled trial. From oranges and lemons to the gold standard.
abstract: This article discusses the history and development of randomized clinical trial methodology, the reasons for its status and authority as a method of therapeutic evaluation, and the continuing role of clinical judgement in designing, interpreting, and applying the findings of trials.
authors.affiliation: Pain and Neurosensory Mechanisms Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Meldrum
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D004341:Drug Evaluation / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D005060:Europe; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011057:Politics; D011639:Public Opinion; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000266:history* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D012107:Research Design; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D014481:United States; D014492:United States Public Health Service / Q000266:history
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents