A three-phase sequential model for clinical trials

Abstract

SUMMARY The sequential version of Colton's decision-theoretic model for comparing two medical treatments is modified by considering both the patients who are in the experiment and also the patients who do not participate in the experiment, while the experiment is in progress. The consideration of the patients who do not participate in the experiment leads to major changes in the restdts. Both the minimax and Bayesian solutions are obtained and are compared with Colton's equivalent results.