Thinking Critically: Interpreting Randomized Clinical Trials (CME)

This course seeks to fulfill the clinical community's need to improve skills in the critical evaluation of clinical research papers. Competency in critical appraisal skills can have a significant impact by improving clinical practice, quality of research projects, and peer-review of manuscripts and grants. The course will utilize efficient and engaging videos with relevant clinical examples to cover essential research methodology principles. The online format will provide opportunities for self-paced learning and practicing critical appraisal of a variety of published studies that evaluate benefit, harm, and prognosis.

This course is designed for national and international physicians, medical researchers, residents, fellows, and allied health professionals in all specialties.

• At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:
  • Analyze the concepts of randomization and blinding in reducing bias.
  • Develop strategies to critically appraise randomized clinical trials and determine if study results are valid.

1. Introduction
2. Key Design Concepts
3. Analyzing Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) Data
4. Evaluating a Clinical Trial
5. Course Wrap-up
6. Resources and References
7. Help!