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Trials
Published in: Trials 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Commentary

Comparative effectiveness research for the clinician researcher: a framework for making a methodological design choice

Authors: Cylie M. Williams, Elizabeth H. Skinner, Alicia M. James, Jill L. Cook, Steven M. McPhail, Terry P. Haines

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Comparative effectiveness research compares two active forms of treatment or usual care in comparison with usual care with an additional intervention element. These types of study are commonly conducted following a placebo or no active treatment trial. Research designs with a placebo or non-active treatment arm can be challenging for the clinician researcher when conducted within the healthcare environment with patients attending for treatment.
A framework for conducting comparative effectiveness research is needed, particularly for interventions for which there are no strong regulatory requirements that must be met prior to their introduction into usual care. We argue for a broader use of comparative effectiveness research to achieve translatable real-world clinical research. These types of research design also affect the rapid uptake of evidence-based clinical practice within the healthcare setting.
This framework includes questions to guide the clinician researcher into the most appropriate trial design to measure treatment effect. These questions include consideration given to current treatment provision during usual care, known treatment effectiveness, side effects of treatments, economic impact, and the setting in which the research is being undertaken.
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Metadata
Title
Comparative effectiveness research for the clinician researcher: a framework for making a methodological design choice
Authors
Cylie M. Williams
Elizabeth H. Skinner
Alicia M. James
Jill L. Cook
Steven M. McPhail
Terry P. Haines
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-016-1535-6

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