Active-comparator selection record ================================== StatMedAnalysis | Original downloadable worksheet | 6 November 2026 Choose a comparison group that represents the same treatment decision. How to use this worksheet List realistic alternatives available at the decision point. Compare indications, disease severity, contraindications, calendar period and care setting. Identify why patients receive one option rather than the other. Preserve excluded comparator choices and the reasons they would answer a different question. Save a working copy and keep the original blank version. Use public, hypothetical or aggregate information only; do not enter patient identifiers, credentials or confidential records. Keep source evidence in your approved project workspace. Mark unresolved text fields UNKNOWN or NOT REPORTED with a reason; never substitute zero for an unknown count. Project/version __________________ Prepared by role/date __________________ Working fields 1. Treatment decision and clinical context Response/evidence: _________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. Candidate comparator strategies Response/evidence: _________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. Shared indication and eligibility Response/evidence: _________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 4. Contraindication differences Response/evidence: _________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 5. Calendar and provider overlap Response/evidence: _________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 6. New-user definition Response/evidence: _________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 7. Residual channeling concerns Response/evidence: _________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 8. Selected comparator and rationale Response/evidence: _________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Hypothetical worked case A fictional study of two first-line treatments uses new initiators of each. Untreated people may have milder disease or lack access, so replacing the active comparator with nonusers changes both the clinical question and confounding concerns. Decision rule and limitations Approve the comparator only if it represents a plausible alternative for the intended population. State remaining treatment-selection differences without claiming the design removes all confounding. Decision _______________________ Remaining uncertainty ____________________ Next action ____________________ Owner / review date ______________________ Independent check and discrepancy resolution _______________________________ Official method or reporting reference checked 6 November 2026 https://miguelhernan.org/whatifbook This is an original planning aid, not an official checklist, validated instrument, clinical recommendation or certificate of expert approval. Apply the referenced guidance to the specific design and record any additional requirements.