Quality research

Question 1

Example hierarchy of evidence by? And how many levels?

Answer 1

NHMRC levels of evidence, 2009

I-IV (III has 3)

Question 2

Example evidence hierarchy (I and II)

Answer 2

I - SRs of level II (RCTs)

II - RCT

Question 3

Example evidence hierarchy (III-1)

Answer 3

III-1 - Pseudo-RCT (e.g. DOB, day of week)

Question 4

Example evidence hierarchy (III-3)

Answer 4

III-3 - Comparative study withOUT concurrent control

Question 5

Example evidence hierarchy (III-2)

Answer 5

III-2 - Comparative study with concurrent controls

• Non-randomised trial
• Cohort study
• Case-control study
• Interrupted time series with control

Question 6

Example evidence hierarchy (IV)

Answer 6

Case series with either post test or pre/post test outcomes

Question 7

Are RCTs enough in Rx evaluation?

Answer 7

NO

• Clin sig/importance to clients
• Consider individual (characteristics/responses)
• Biases in clinical practice

Question 8

Do we always have to use RCTs?

Answer 8

No.

• Sometimes not practical/ethical
• Observational trials can display similar results
• RCTs are gold standard, that’s all