Pulmonary Critical Appraisal

Objective

To critically appraise an RCT and develop a brief synopsis of the study results

Plan

1. A brief (10-15 minute) seminar on How To Critically Appraise An RCT In 10 minutes will be presented
2. Groups of 10 students will be assigned to critically appraise one of the studies below
3. Students will work in pairs to develop a templated PowerPoint/Keynote presentation that provides a synopsis of the trial results
4. One student selected at random from each group will be selected to present their findings in front of the class at the end of the seminar

Sample Format

Studies

N Engl J Med1991;325:388-92

• Comparison of a beta 2-agonist, terbutaline, with an inhaled corticosteroid, budesonide, in newly detected asthma

N Engl J Med 2010;363:1715-26

• Tiotropium bromide step-up therapy for adults with uncontrolled asthma

N Engl J Med 2011;364:1695-707

• Leukotriene antagonists as first-line or add-on asthma-controller therapy

Lancet 2011;377:650-7

• Use of beclomethasone dipropionate as rescue treatment for children with mild persistent asthma (TREXA): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Lancet 2004;363:271-5

• Doubling the dose of inhaled corticosteroid to prevent asthma exacerbations: randomised controlled trial

N Engl J Med 2007;356:2040-52

• Rescue use of beclomethasone and albuterol in a single inhaler for mild asthma

Thorax 2004;59:550–6

• Doubling the dose of budesonide versus maintenance treatment in asthma exacerbations

Lancet 2003;361:1071-6

• Early intervention with budesonide in mild persistent asthma: a randomised, double-blind trial

How To Critically Appraise an RCT In 10 minutes

• iBook/iPad version
• PDF version

Study Results at Your Fingertips

• MyStudies