====== 🧾 Independent Assessment ======

Independent assessment refers to:

The evaluation of outcomes, data, or clinical results by individuals or entities not involved in the treatment, intervention, or data collection process.

🔍 Key Characteristics:
✅ Blinded or impartial evaluation

✅ Performed by third parties (e.g., independent radiologists, adjudication committees, external reviewers)

✅ Reduces observer bias, confirmation bias, and conflicts of interest

🧠 Why It Matters in Research:
Without independent assessment:

Researchers may unconsciously favor expected outcomes

Complications may be underreported

Imaging or pathology may be interpreted subjectively

Outcome grading (e.g., pain scores, mRS, tumor response) may be influenced by provider bias

📉 In Clinical Trials:
Independent assessment is critical for:

Primary endpoints (e.g., radiographic tumor response)

Safety reporting

Adjudication of ambiguous outcomes