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Human Reproduction, Vol. 18, No. 5, 899-901, May 2003
© 2003 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Editorial

The design, publication and interpretation of research in Subfertility Medicine: uncomfortable issues and challenges to be faced

David H. Barlow

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

In the past decade we have seen almost universal acceptance of the concepts encompassed by the words ‘evidence-based’. Whilst some interpret this as meaning that only randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence is of value many would take the view expressed by David Sackett that evidence-based medicine is..."about integrating individual experience and the best external evidence" (Sackett et al., 1996Go). In the field of subfertility medicine it is especially important that this latter interpretation is used since large portions of clinical practice are devoid of RCTs. Subfertility medicine is not unique in facing this difficulty, it being recognized that it is more difficult to set up RCTs. This is a difficulty shared with other fields, particularly surgical specialties.

    In this issue of Human Reproduction we publish two papers and an Associate Editor Commentary that illustrate well some of the challenges to be faced by our field. Whilst addressing them . . . [Full Text of this Article]


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