Blinding (sometimes called ‘masking’) is the term to describe a doctor, patient or researcher not knowing which study group a patient has been assigned to.
A blinded study is where the patient doesn’t know which group they are in, or which treatment they are getting.
A double-blinded study is where neither the doctor nor the patient know which group the patient is in.
Blinding prevents different care or treatment being given based on the personal beliefs of either the doctor or patient.
An example of why blinding is important is that if someone know they are getting an active drug, both doctors and patients may be more likely to report side effects.
It could also affect how often a patient takes the treatment.
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