Selecting the Optimal Level of Clustering: An Approach to Trial Design Decision Making

Surgical interventions involve complex interactions amongst personnel, equipment, and operating room set-up requirements. Trial implementation at the single clinician level in that environment is not pragmatic, decreases generalizability, and is often unrealistic as such studies may require changes to hospital operating policy. Cluster randomized trials (CRTs) are the preferred method of assessment for systems-based interventions and changes in policy. In CRTs, groups – rather than individuals – are randomized to receive an intervention.

Source: Journal of the American College of Surgeons - May 24, 2020 Category: Surgery Authors: Graham R. McClure, Emilie P. Belley-Cote, Jessica Spence, Shun Fu Lee, Richard P. Whitlock Tags: Education Source Type: research