EFFECTIVE POLICYMAKING REQUIRES STRONG EVIDENCE: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS AS THE FOUNDATION FOR EVIDENCE‐BASED POLICY

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atheendar S. Venkataramani
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Evidence Based Policy

Evidence-based policy analysis? The strange case of the randomized controlled trials of community-led total sanitation

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale Whittington ◽  
Mark Radin ◽  
Marc Jeuland
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Treatment Effects ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Evidence Based Policy

Abstract Our purpose in this paper is to review the findings of 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of community-led total sanitation (CLTS) and recent rural sanitation interventions to assess their usefulness and implications for sanitation policy-making in low- and middle-income countries. The results of the RCT research programme to evaluate CLTS and related sanitation interventions suggest that the magnitude of the treatment effects was much smaller and uncertain than proponents once anticipated. For example, of the ten studies that reported results for reductions in childhood diarrhoea, only three found statistically significant decreases. Surprisingly, the RCT research teams and their funders do not seem to have thought about how their multi-million dollar research agenda would support decision-making on sanitation. Information on the parameters needed for cost-effectiveness analysis or benefit–cost analysis was not collected. However, making reasonable assumptions about the missing information on parameter values, we show that cost–benefit analysis may still ‘save’ CLTS because small treatment effects may still yield net positive economic benefits if the costs of implementing CLTS programmes are modest. We also discuss the need to move beyond the desire for sanitation policies that are proven to be effective globally, and the importance of focusing on analysis of the local sanitation situation. We describe the data needed to make this shift in policy focus from the global to the local level and stress the importance of interdisciplinary communication between the proponents of RCTs and ‘evidence-based policy’, and economists who will be responsible for the economic analysis of investments in CLTS and other sanitation interventions. We also argue that the results of these RCTs highlight the importance of coordinating investments in piped water and sanitation with investments in improved housing.

Trends in randomized controlled trials in ENT: a 30-year review

1997 ◽  
Vol 111 (7) ◽  
pp. 611-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. W. Ah-See ◽  
N. C. Molony ◽  
A. G. D. Maran
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Medline Search ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled

AbstractThere is a growth in the demand for clinical practice to be evidence based. Recent years have seen a rise in the number of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTS). Such trials while acknowledged as the gold standard for evidence can be difficult to perform in surgical specialities. We have recently identified a low proportion of RCTS in the otolaryngology literature. Our aim was to identify any trend in the number of published RCTS within the ENT literature over a 30-year period and to identify which areas of our speciality lend themselves to this form of study design. A Medline search of 10 prominent journals published between 1966 and 1995 was performed. Two hundred and ninety-six RCTS were identified. Only five were published before 1980. Two hundred (71 per cent) of RCTS were in the areas of otology and rhinology. An encouraging trend is seen in RCTS within ENT literature.

scholarly journals TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN EPISTEMIC AND MORAL VALUES IN EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donal Khosrowi
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Epistemic Values ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Political Values ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
High Quality Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based Policy ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Quality Evidence

Abstract:Proponents of evidence-based policy (EBP) call for public policy to be informed by high-quality evidence from randomized controlled trials. This methodological preference aims to promote several epistemic values, e.g. rigour, unbiasedness, precision, and the ability to obtain causal conclusions. I argue that there is a trade-off between these epistemic values and several non-epistemic, moral and political values. This is because the evidence afforded by standard EBP methods is differentially useful for pursuing different moral and political values. I expand on how this challenges ideals of value-freedom and -neutrality in EBP, and offer suggestions for how EBP methodology might be revised.

scholarly journals Breast Cancer Research to Support Evidence-Based Medicine in Nigeria: A Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
pp. 384-390
Author(s):  
Omolara A. Fatiregun ◽  
Temiloluwa Oluokun ◽  
Nwamaka N. Lasebikan ◽  
Emmanuella Nwachukwu ◽  
Abiola A. Ibraheem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Research ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Evidence Based Medicine ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Breast Cancer Research ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Based Medicine

PURPOSE Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. In Nigeria, it accounts for 22.7% of all new cancer cases among women. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) entails using the results from healthcare research to enhance the clinical decision-making process and develop evidence-based treatment guidelines. Level 1 and 2 studies, such as randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials, yield more robust types of evidence. This study reviewed the levels of evidence of breast cancer publications in Nigeria. METHODS We conducted an electronic literature search of all studies published on breast cancer in Nigeria from January 1961 to August 2019. We reviewed all the articles found under the search term “Breast Cancer in Nigeria” on medical databases. RESULTS Our search identified 2,242 publications. One thousand two hundred fifty duplicates were removed, and 520 were excluded. A total of 472 articles were considered eligible for this review. Most of these articles were case series or reports (30.7%), qualitative studies (15.7%), followed by cross-sectional studies (13.3%), laboratory studies (12.9%), case-control studies (6.1%), case reports (7%), and cohort (5.7%). CONCLUSION Breast cancer research in Nigeria is yet to produce much evidence of the types considered to best support EBM. The scarcity of data hampers the implementation of EBM in Nigeria. Currently, most treatment guidelines are adapted from those developed in other countries, despite genetic differences among populations and different environmental influencing factors.

scholarly journals Clinical Importance of Evidence Based Therapy for Diabetes Type 2

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-24
Author(s):  
Mohammad A. Bajubair
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Ischemic Heart Disease ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Oral Treatment ◽  
Ischemic Heart ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Evidence Based Therapy

Objectives: Not all practice guidelines on oral treatment of Type 2 diabetes were consistent with available evidences. Our aim was to explore the necessity of following the new clinical evidences in treatment of diabetes mellitus Type 2 in clinical practice and the availability of randomized controlled trials in literature used. Methods: Cross-sectional interview survey of 20 physicians in the Internal Medicine Departments in Althawra Teaching Hospital, University of Sana'a, Yemen, to understand the drug used in T2DM in regards to the clinically evidenced trials. The three commonly used literatures were studied for the availability of randomized controlled trials s and the systematic reviews. Results: Examples of drugs to be considered in special correlation and contradiction were metformin and thiazolidinediones (rosi-, pioglitazone). Fear of lactic acidosis was seen in 45% of physicians. Ischemic Heart disease and failure represent the commonest cause of glitazones avoidance, especially for rosiglitazone (100% vs. 50% for pioglitazone). Example of drugs used were with no agreements of their benefit are gabapentin (35%) and neurobion (30%) for neuropathy prevention. In the side effect consideration, metformin was still considered dangerous, and B-blockers hesitation in ischemic heart disease prevention. The main source of information used by physicians was Davidson's Medicine, British national formulary and pharmaceutical marketing leaflets. Conclusions: Inconsistency between the tested physicians may be improved by better access and implementation of evidence-based therapy and guidelines in T2DM.

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