A Brief Synopsis Of Modern Randomization Methodologies And Technologies

Randomized, double-blind clinical trials are the gold standard for adequate and well-controlled studies in modern times. However, prior to the late 1940s, randomization and blinding were not used in medicine and as result, bias was common. For example, treatment bias was often observed as physicians would treat sicker patients with known controls, while seemingly stronger patients would receive experimental products. Further, when not blinded, knowledge of a patient’s treatment regimen tended to affect the level of care a healthcare worker may provide and also influenced their observations regarding improvement, adverse events and other factors.