Understanding controlled trials Flashcards
1
Q
What should be considered in a controlled trial?
A
Hypothesis/purpose Trial design Study population Sample size Randomisation process Masking/blinding Follow up and complaince Analysis Ethical considerations
2
Q
When are controlled (clinical) trials used?
A
New pharmaceuticals
New vaccines
Different treatment techniques
Different management interventions
3
Q
What is a clinical trial?
A
Trial with sick animals and treatments
4
Q
What is a field/intervention study?
A
Trial with normal animals and prophylaxis
5
Q
Controlled clinical trials compare what two groups?
A
Treatment group Control group (either no treatment, or normal treatment if looking for new therapies)
6
Q
What are the 4 phases to a clinical trial?
A
Phase I - small safety trial
II - small number with no control
III - large scale randomised controlled trial
IV - evaluate use
7
Q
What trials provide the strongest evidence?
A
Randomised controlled trials
8
Q
What does random allocation of treatment reduce?
A
Bias and confounding
9
Q
What type of bias does blinding reduce?
A
Measurement bias
