The efficacy of medical therapy is usually best demonstrated by randomized clinical trials but results of full-scale trials may be unavailable or may not be applicable to single patients. Single patient trials have been proposed to solve therapeutic dilemmas in dividual patients but are difficult for the clinician to perform. A single-patient clinical trial service will be established at a university hospital. The participants will publicize the role of single-patient clinical trials and teach clinicians about their applicability to certain therapeutic problems. They will assist clinicians in designing, executing, and interpreting randomized, crossover, controlled trials in appropriate patients. The value of the trials in therepeutic decision making for patient well being will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The feasibility of the service will be assessed based on the value of single-patient clinical trials to patient care and the resources expended in providing the service. If successful, the service could become an ongoing, self-sustaining activity.
