[Pragmatic randomized controlled trials as a source of data in the assessment of effectiveness of medical technology]

Acquisition of scientific data needed to make rational decisions about health policy has became an important tool in determining the validity of the financing methods of treatment from public funds under the health technology assessment (HTA). The primary source of scientific evidence for health technology assessment are randomized controlled trials (RCTs, explanatory trials evaluating the efficacy), because of their features reducing methodological bias (e.g. randomization or blindness). These features may become a disadvantage, which seriously reduces the possibility of transfer of the results and conclusions to the level of routine practice. In this situation an important role begin to play studies that provide data on effectiveness-observational studies, registries and pragmatic randomized controlled trials (pRCTs).