clinical equipoise
Genuine uncertainty within the medical community about the relative merits of different treatment options.
Full Definition
Clinical equipoise represents a state of genuine uncertainty among qualified experts regarding the comparative therapeutic value of different treatment interventions being tested in a clinical trial. This ethical principle justifies randomized controlled trials by ensuring that participants are not knowingly assigned to inferior treatments. Equipoise can be disturbed during a trial if emerging evidence suggests clear superiority of one treatment, potentially requiring early termination or protocol modification. The concept is fundamental to research ethics and helps ensure that clinical trials serve both scientific and patient welfare interests.
Usage
Usage note: Central to research ethics; distinguish from statistical considerations or individual clinician preferences.
In Context
- "Clinical equipoise between the novel therapy and standard care justified the randomized design of this treatment study." — Ethics section
- "The data safety monitoring board determined that clinical equipoise was maintained throughout the interim analysis." — Safety monitoring report