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The case for practical clinical trials in psychiatry
John S March1, Susan G Silva, Scott Compton
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Child and Family Study Center, 718 Rutherford St., Durham, NC 27705, USA. jsmarch@acpub.duke.edu
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|May 3, 2005
Summary
Psychiatry should adopt practical clinical trials to improve the relevance of research findings for clinicians. This model ensures that clinical trials address real-world practice needs and patient care decisions effectively.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Research Methodology
Background:
- Clinical trials in psychiatry often lack practical utility for clinicians.
- Research evidence is frequently not perceived as relevant to clinical practice, limiting its impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- Advocate for the adoption of the practical clinical trials model in psychiatric research.
- Enhance the clinical relevance and acceptability of psychiatric research findings for decision-makers.
Main Methods:
- Outline the characteristics and scope of practical clinical trials.
- Provide examples of practical clinical trials.
- Discuss challenges in implementing practical clinical trials in psychiatry, including funding.
Main Results:
- Practical clinical trials aim to provide unbiased, generalizable answers to clinical questions.
- Key features include clinically relevant questions, representative samples, adequate power, randomization, clinical uncertainty, best practice protocols, simple outcomes, and minimal burden.
Conclusions:
- Implementing practical clinical trials in psychiatry requires stable funding for network infrastructure.
- Methodological innovation is needed in trial governance, selection, assessment, treatment, data management, and analysis.