Implications derived from distribution of design types used in original articles published in Chinese and foreign journals of anesthesiology for clinical researches on anesthesiology in China / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

This paper makes a comparative analysis on the research design types used in the original articles which were published in anesthesiology academic journals sponsored by the American Society of anesthesiologists, the International Anesthesiology Research Society and the Chinese Medical Association.It is suggested that clinical research on anesthesiology should be paid more attention in China.In terms of the theoretical strength of causal inference, randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the best type of research design.However, researchers should fully understand the key elements of the design and implementation of RCT and the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the international requirements for the transparency of RCT.Otherwise, RCT could not be applied rationally in the field of Anesthesiology.In addition, Anesthesiology and Anesthesia and Analgesia published more articles based on cohort studies than Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology, calling on Chinese anesthesiology peers to pay more attention to the cohort study, so as to lay a robust foundation for high-quality and systematic clinical research.Considering the reality of Anesthesiology in China, as well as being familiar with the basic principles of different research design types will help the anesthesiologists to attach equal importance to clinical and basic researches, to initiate high-quality observational researches, and to improve the quality of RCT, so as to produce more reliable research evidences, improve clinical practice ability, and effectively promote the development of anesthesiology.