Sessler, D. I. (Im)precise trial descriptions (editorial). Br J Anaesth 2021: 127 (6) 824-825
October 16, 2021
Summary
Terms such as prospective, interventional, and controlled are redundant in the context of randomised trials, and are therefore distracting. Pragmatic should probably be reserved for trials that intentionally control little except the exposure. The term pilot should be reserved for trials that were designated to a priori and registered as pilot trials, and have appropriate pilot outcomes. ‘Pragmatic’ and ‘real-world’ should not be inserted to excuse poor trial design; and similarly, ‘pilot’ should not be appended to excuse inadequate power.
Keywords: controlled trial; pilot study; pragmatic study; real-world study; title.
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