How to read a report of a randomized controlled trial.
Proper evaluation of up-to-date clinical evidence is essential for the provision of optimal patient care. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the ideal study type to investigate the benefit or harm of an intervention, such as a drug therapy. RCTs aims to avoid biased assessment of clinical interventions through the even distribution of both known and unknown factors that may influence outcomes. However, not all RCTs are well designed, conducted or reported. As such, the clinician needs to critically appraise RCTs in order to determine their strengths and weaknesses. This paper aims to explain how to approach critical appraisal, by highlighting and illustrating important questions that help determine the reliability of results from randomized trials.
Jun
Min
M
The George Institute for International Health, The University of Sydney, PO Box 201, Missenden Road, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
Zoungas
Sophia
S
Perkovic
Vlado
V
Webster
Angela C
AC
D032882:Comprehension; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D011897:Random Allocation; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011932:Reading; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome