Final answer:
Therapeutic outcomes are the desired results obtained from medical treatment, such as drug efficacy and patient survival rates. They are evaluated through studies and clinical trials employing statistical methods to compare treatment effectiveness and observe complications or unexpected results.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes the desired results obtained from treatment in a medical context is known as therapeutic outcomes. Therapeutic outcomes include various measures of success such as the efficacy of a drug, patient survival rates, reduction in symptoms, and overall improvement in health condition after beginning a treatment. Often, studies are conducted to evaluate these outcomes, where effectiveness of treatment programs is compared against control groups to understand the treatment’s impact on patient health. For instance, in pharmaceutical studies, like that of a new viral antibody drug, researchers would monitor crucial data such as the mean length of time patients live after starting the treatment, or the proportion of patients who develop a disease after being on a preventative medication.
To evaluate treatment effectiveness, researchers use a variety of statistical methods. Descriptive statistics like the average decrease in tumor size provide a summary of the data collected, while inferential statistics allow scientists to draw conclusions and make predictions based on the data. Clinical trials may identify potential complications, surprising results, and could help in making a preliminary diagnosis and recommending further treatment based on collected data and observed outcomes.