Measurement of long-term outcomes in observational and randomised controlled trials

Abstract

BackgroundRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evaluating treatment efficacy. However, the outcomes of RCTs often lackclinical utility and usually do not address real-world effectivenessAimsTo review how traditional RCTs may be triangulatedwith other methodologies such as observational studies and pragmatic trials by highlighting recently reported studies, outcomes used and their respective meritsMethodLiterature review focusing on drug treatmentResultsRecently reported observational and some pragmatic studies show a degree of consistency in reported results and use outcomes that have face validity for cliniciansConclusionsNo single experimental paradigm or outcome provides the necessary data to optimise treatment of mental illness in the clinical setting