Analysis of cluster randomized trials in primary care: a practical approach
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Cluster randomized trials increasingly are being used in health services research and in primary care, yet the majority of these trials do not account appropriately for the clustering in their analysis. OBJECTIVES: We review the main implications of adopting a cluster randomized design in primary care and highlight the practical application of appropriate analytical techniques. METHODS: The application of different analytical techniques is demonstrated through the use of empirical data from a primary care-based case study. CONCLUSION: Inappropriate analysis of cluster trials can lead to the presentation of inaccurate results and hence potentially misleading conclusions. We have demonstrated that adjustment for clustering can be applied to real-life data and we encourage more routine adoption of appropriate analytical techniques.
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MOST uses the resource management and continuous optimization principles to improve smoking cessation research efficiency and intervention effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
“MOST (4, 5), which has some conceptual roots in the phased approach to intervention development and evaluation proposed by the United Kingdom’s Medical Research Council (14, 15) applies the resource management and continuous optimization principles to improve the efficiency of smoking cessation research and the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions.”
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- Authors
- Campbell, M. K., Mollison, J., Steen, N., Grimshaw, J. M., & Eccles, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Aberdeen (GB)
- Newcastle University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Campbell, M. K
- Venue
- Family Practice
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2000-04-01
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 192-196
- ISSN
- 0263-2136 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2229
- OpenAlex
- W2127765788
- Cited by
- 327
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 8.84
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- Family Practice (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
- Funders
- Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials
- Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Advanced Causal Inference Techniques
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
- Keywords
- primary care, trial analysis, statistical analysis, health services research
- MeSH terms
- Data Interpretation, Statistical, Family Practice, Health Services Research, Humans, Primary Health Care, Referral and Consultation, Research Design, Urology, Reproducibility of Results, Models, Statistical, Cluster Analysis, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Practice Guidelines as Topic
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