Interpreting positive studies.
When examining the results of a positive research study, one needs to consider two issues of clinical relevance. First, is the outcome measure of direct interest to patients, or is it clearly linked to a measure of direct interest to patients? Second, is the difference large enough to lie outside the range of clinical indifference? Don't accept the findings of a positive research study without a careful consideration of clinical relevance.
Simon
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Office of Medical Research, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, USA. ssimon@cmh.edu
D015415:Biomarkers; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010361:Patients; D012107:Research Design
D015415:Biomarkers