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Pragmatic Clinical Trials

Meaning

Pragmatic Clinical Trials (PCTs) are research studies specifically designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a medical intervention, such as a hormonal therapy, under conditions that closely mirror routine, real-world clinical practice. Unlike highly controlled explanatory trials, PCTs enroll patient populations that accurately reflect the real world, use flexible treatment protocols, and measure outcomes that are directly meaningful to patients, like quality of life or long-term safety. This methodology provides crucial, generalizable evidence for clinical decision-making by assessing utility in a naturalistic setting.