Table 2 Comparison of in-practice and automated allocation methods
From: Automated recruitment and randomisation for an efficient randomised controlled trial in primary care
In-practice | Automated | |
|---|---|---|
Time to start | Sooner (3 months) | Later (7 months) |
Randomisation design | In-house | In-house/third party |
Randomisation conduct | In-house | Third party |
Randomisation record | Full | Partial |
Labour intensive | Monthly general practice visits over 18 months | No requirement for practice visits |
Outcome data | Extracted at general practice visits | Extracted at general practice visits |
Missing data | Present for 10/178 (6%) practice months | 0/72 practice months |
Trial outcomes | Generally consistent | Generally consistent |