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Table 3 Quality assessment

From: Do computerised clinical decision support systems for prescribing change practice? A systematic review of the literature (1990-2007)

Item

n (%)

1. Method of allocation of study groups

 

   2 = Random

48 (86)

   1 = Quasi-random

2 (4)

   0 = Selected concurrent controls

6 (11)

2. Unit of allocation

 

   2 = Cluster (e.g. practice)

20 (36)

   1 = Physician

13 (23)

   0 = Patient

23 (41)

3. Presence of baseline differences between groups

 

   2 = No baseline differences present or appropriate statistical adjustments made

36 (64)

   1 = Baseline differences present and no statistical adjustments made

6 (11)

   0 = Baseline characteristics not reported

14 (25)

4. Objectivity of outcome measures

 

   2 = Objective outcomes or subjective outcomes with blinded assessment

53 (95)

   1 = Subjective outcomes with no blinding but clearly defined assessment criteria

3 (5)

   0 = Subjective outcomes with no blinding and poorly defined

0 (0)

5. Completeness of follow-up for appropriate unit of analysis

 

   2 = >90%

50 (89)

   1 = 80-90%

2 (4)

   0 = <80%

4 (7)