Good Evidence Is Necessary for Good Patient Care

Abstract

A large randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the research design most likely to avoid bias and random error, and thus most likely to serve as a reliable guide to good clinical practice. By revisiting stories of obstetrical research, including large RCTs, a small RCT, and non-randomized trials, the importance of and indications for pursuing large RCTs will be explored. Examples of how limitations in study design have yielded results that were later proven untrue will also be included. Large randomized clinical trials should be pursued when possible so that patients need not rely on the results of small RCTs or non-randomized studies when determining their choices for care.