Should clinical trials with concurrent economic analyses be blinded?
Article Abstract:
It is probably best to determine the cost effectiveness of a medical treatment by doing an unblinded randomized clinical trial that is based on actual clinical practice. Blinding in a clinical trial means that the physician and patients do not know who is getting the treatment and who is getting a placebo. This is necessary because prior knowledge can bias the conclusion of the study. All trials to determine the clinical effectiveness of a treatment should be blinded. However, the trial to determine the treatment's economic impact should be unblinded. These trials should only be done if the treatment has been shown to be effective.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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Impact of Formal Continuing Medical Education: Do Conferences, Workshops, Rounds, and Other Traditional Continuing Education Activities Change Physician Behavior or Health Care Outcomes?
Article Abstract:
Continuing medical education (CME) programs may not always lead to changes in doctors' behavior. Most CME programs are delivered in the form of a lecture, conference, or meeting. A review of 14 studies of CME revealed nine positive changes in clinical practice as a result of attending a CME program. However, few of these changes resulted in a change in health care outcomes. The most effective CME programs are those that require active participation rather than listening passively to a lecture.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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When Is It Cost-effective to Change the Behavior of Health Professionals? (Special Communication)
Article Abstract:
A technique is presented for calculating the cost-effectiveness of a policy change, using as an example an educational program that tried to change the prescribing habits of British doctors. Implementing a policy change costs money over and above the cost of the actual treatment. The cost of the implementation may exceed the money saved by using the new treatment.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2001
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