HCS105 Research in community Health

Question 1: Validity

i. Was the assignment of patients to treatments randomised?

ii. Was the randomization list concealed?

iii. Were the groups similar at the start of the trial apart from the experimental therapy?

iv. Was follow-up of patients sufficiently long and complete?

v. Were all patients analysed in the groups to which they were randomised to?

vi. Who was kept “blind” to treatment?

vii. Were the groups treated equally, apart from the experimental treatment?

Question 2: Importance

i. What is the magnitude of the treatment effect?

Question 3: Application

i. Do these results apply and alter current guidelines and practice?

ii. What patients are so di?erent from those in the study that the results cannot apply to their care?

iii. Is the treatment feasible in our setting?

iv. What are the potential bene?ts and harms from the therapy?

Question 4: Validity

i. What kind of studies does this systematic review synthesise?

ii. Does it describe a comprehensive and detailed search for relevant trials?

iii. Were the individual studies assessed for validity?

iv. Were the individual patient data used in the analysis (or aggregate data)?

Question 5: Importance

i. Are the results consistent across studies?

ii. What is the magnitude of the treatment e?ect?

Question 6: Application

I. Do these results apply and alter current guidelines and practice?

II. What patients are so di?erent from those in the study that the results cannot apply to their care?

III. Is the treatment feasible in our setting?