The use of a computer in the organization of a large-scale co-operative controlled clinical trial of the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

The organization of controlled clinical trials requires well-defined clerical procedures which, with large-scale studies, are so monotonous that it is difficult to attract and keep staff of a sufficiently high calibre. In a large-scale trial of pulmonary tuberculosis, a computer is being used to undertake much of the routine clerical work, including (1) the preparation of an appointments diary, which also specifies the exact requirements for the trial, and (2) the storage of all the data on magnetic tape so that periodic checks can be made for missing data and interim and final analyses can be produced rapidly. These arrangements reduce the time spent by clerical and statistical staff to a minimum. Although a strict evaluation of the effect of introducing the computer has not yet been made, this approach does appear to be sufficiently promising to warrant further investigations of a similar type.