Minimum Clinically Important Difference (MCID)

Minimum Clinically Important Difference (MCID) is a measure used in healthcare to determine the smallest change in a patient's health status that is considered meaningful and beneficial to them. Essentially, it helps to identify whether a treatment has made a noticeable difference in a person's symptoms or quality of life. For example, if a pain relief treatment is tested, the MCID would indicate how much pain reduction patients need to experience for it to be considered significant, rather than just a statistical change. Understanding the MCID helps doctors and researchers gauge the real-world impact of treatments.