Are results of randomized controlled trials useful to psychotherapists?

Author(s): Silberschatz, G.

Journal/Book: J Consult Clin Psychol. 1998; 66: 750 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Amer Psychological Assoc. 126-135.

Abstract: Two clinicians provided opposite answers to the title question: Persons argued that information from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is vital to clinicians, and Silberschatz argued that information from RCTs is irrelevant to clinicians. Persons argued that clinicians cannot provide top quality care to their patients without attending to findings of RCTs and that clinicians have an ethical responsibility to inform patients about, recommend, and provide treatments supported by RCTs before informing patients about, recommending, and providing treatments shown to be inferior in RCTs or not evaluated in RCTs. Silberschatz argued that RCTs do not and cannot answer questions that concern practicing clinicians. He advocates alternative research approaches (effectiveness studies, quasi-experimental methods, case-specific research) for studying psychotherapy.

Note: Article Persons JB, Ctr Cognit Therapy, 5435 Coll Ave, Oakland,CA 94618 USA

Keyword(s): COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH-PROGRAM; MENTAL-HEALTH TREATMENT; BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT; NATIONAL-INSTITUTE; CLINICAL-TRIAL; DEPRESSION; DISORDER; THERAPY; EFFICACY; PSYCHOLOGY

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