Why it matters clinically
DDJ uses the term when an intervention is directly compared with an alternative or with routine care.
Study design
randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Experimental study design with random allocation to comparison groups.
How DDJ writes it
On first use: randomized controlled trial (RCT). After that, use RCT only.
What to avoid
- Do not use it as an automatic quality stamp without methodological context.
- Do not write as if every RCT is automatically clinically strong or transferable.