How to Evaluate a Randomized Controlled Trial: What Every Pharmacist Should Know

Abstract

The primary literature is replete with drug-related-information. The pharmacist is often faced with interpreting and applying this information to clinical practice. Although there are many forms of primary literature, the randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the most commonly used for assessing drug efficacy. This article is designed to review the components of a RCT, including the title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, conclusions, and references. Bias may be introduced into any of these components, either intentionally or unintentionally. Knowing how to evaluate these components will provide pharmacists a framework for interpreting RCT quality. In addition, examples of bias will be provided for each RCT component. Goals (1) to familiarize pharmacists with the components of an RCT; (2) to review sources of RCT bias; and (3) to help pharmacists apply RCT findings to clinical practice. Objectives This article should enable pharmacists to (1) list the components of an RCT; (2) describe five ways bias may be introduced in an RCT; and (3) discuss the limitations and constraints of using an RCT to make clinical decisions.