Tag: clinical trials

  • Solving the small crappy trial problem

    Solving the small crappy trial problem

    Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) yield the strongest evidence to inform medical practice. Each year, more than 40,000 new RCTs are registered, and some have estimated that they cost more than 80 billion US dollars. Yet RCTs are remarkably inefficient.

  • How to change RCT-based “definitive” practice 

    How to change RCT-based “definitive” practice 

    Randomised controlled trials (RCT) provide the highest level of evidence. But what to do if a disease changes? Only a new RCT can provide sufficient evidence to change the associated RCT-based practice.

  • Is the clinical trials enterprise broken?

    Is the clinical trials enterprise broken?

    Last week, I had the privilege to attend JAMA’s first ever summit in which two questions were addressed: ‘Is the clinical trials enterprise broken?’ and ‘How can it be fixed?’. The first question is rhetorical.