= Solution
The research nurses should be unaware of each woman's randomized allocation. <Blinded outcome assessment> reduces the possibility that knowledge of receiving peer support changes how questions are asked, how answers are interpreted, or how a clinical diagnosis is recorded. It is especially useful for interview-based and partly subjective outcomes.
The mothers and volunteers would generally know whether calls took place. A mother might mention her volunteer, or a nurse might infer allocation from the conversation or consult records revealing it. This can break assessor blinding even when the allocation list is hidden. Standardized outcome interviews, separate intervention records and asking participants not to disclose allocation can help. Outcome assessment blinding is distinct from <allocation concealment> at recruitment, and does not prevent participants' own awareness from affecting reported symptoms.
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