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Measurement of long-term outcomes in observational and randomised controlled trials
Richard Hodgson1, Chris Bushe, Robert Hunter
1Lyme Brook Centre, Stoke on Trent, UK. richarde.hodgson@northstaffs.nhs.uk
Background:
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evaluating treatment efficacy. However, the outcomes of RCTs often lack clinical utility and usually do not address real-world effectiveness.
Aims:
To review how traditional RCTs may be triangulated with other methodologies such as observational studies and pragmatic trials by highlighting recently reported studies, outcomes used and their respective merits.
Method:
Literature review focusing on drug treatment.
Results:
Recently reported observational and some pragmatic studies show a degree of consistency in reported results and use outcomes that have face validity for clinicians.
Conclusions:
No single experimental paradigm or outcome provides the necessary data to optimise treatment of mental illness in the clinical setting.
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