This randomised controlled trial tutorial has given you an overview of what RCTs actually are, the important factors you should look out for when reading a trial, and how RCT trials may be presented in publications. All trials should report statistical information clearly, enabling you to judge the significance (or not) of the results.

After completing this tutorial on RCTs, you should now be able to interpret what statistics mean, and answer the question: "Are these results statistically significant?"

Only if the answer is "yes" can you move and decide whether to incorporate this evidence into your own practice.

The CD-ROM and workbook on which this learning module is based ("An Introduction to Evidence-Based Prescribing") contains a section on Acting on the Evidence, which discusses how you can actually implement good evidence into your own practice. See the Public Health Resource Unit website for details on how to purchase this CD.