General
n of 1
What does n of 1 mean?
Jokey use of the statistical term 'n=1' to describe trying an unproven approach on one patient and seeing what happens.
"No guidelines for this, so it's an n-of-1 and we watch closely."
Origin
From clinical-trial terminology ('n=1 trial'); used self-deprecatingly.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'n of 1' mean?
It borrows the statistical term for a sample size of one to describe trying an unproven approach on a single patient and seeing what happens.
Where does the phrase come from?
From clinical-trial terminology, where an 'n=1 trial' tests an intervention in a single individual. Clinicians use it self-deprecatingly when off guidelines.
How is it used?
To flag that a decision lacks evidence and is being tried experimentally, e.g. 'no guidelines for this, so it's an n-of-1.'
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