Research designs for cardiothoracic surgeons: part 1 — a primer for evidence-based practice

Understanding research designs is crucial for cardiothoracic surgeons to enhance their clinical practice and decision-making. This article provides a comprehensive overview of different research study types, including observational and experimental studies, and their relevance to cardiothoracic surgery. Detailed explanations of cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional studies, as well as various types of randomized controlled trials, are presented. Key terms and concepts like bias, validity, and reliability are discussed. Practical case examples from the literature illustrate the application of these research designs, aiding clinicians in selecting the appropriate study design for their research questions.