Orthopaedic clinical research: building a team that lasts

Abstract

Medical progress, including in the orthopaedic surgery field, depends on the interaction and collaboration between: physicians, with their expertise on the clinical setting; scientists, with their expertise on the research setting; and professionals who are skilled in both settings (clinical scientists). This leads to the need to develop research approaches which involves people who are committed and support the process, strategic planning, and a cohesive team that can execute the tasks. All these interactions must be supported financially in order to maintain the long-term viability of such team. Time management is crucial for the clinical research team. To ensure success, the research team must be flexible in order to adapt to dynamic clinical and surgical schedules. It is especially important that surgeons have regular, dedicated quality research time to maintain a consistent interaction with the team. Building a successful and productive orthopaedic clinical research programme involves many challenges in creating proper leadership, obtaining funding, setting proper resources, establishing necessary training, and providing guidance and insight around the importance of each role that every member plays on the team. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:245-251. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200058

A Research Year for Medical Students

“…When there are many projects proceeding at various stages, ample communication is imperative. Research is a team sport, requiring people of various backgrounds and skills to work in concert 18 , and together this team should set a timeline, establish which tasks and projects should be prioritized, and identify “next steps” and bottlenecks. This may be especially relevant when it comes to requests for data, IRB submissions, and conducting edits or revisions.…”

An Introduction to Implementing and Conducting the Study

“…In addition, the PI must emphasize the importance of protecting participants' rights, maintaining data safety, accurately collecting and documenting data, and presenting findings fairly. 1 Although the PI may not be able to observe every measurement collected, most team members will perform their best if the PI cultivates an environment of awareness of the need for human subjects' protection and data quality. A PI must also correctly delegate tasks and roles while setting up a system that allows for sufficient supervision over all the study's components.…”

“…Quality assurance must start with the PI providing research team members with proper training. In addition, the PI must emphasize the importance of protecting participants' rights, maintaining data safety, accurately collecting and documenting data, and presenting findings fairly 1. Although the PI may not be able to observe every measurement collected, most team members will perform their best if the PI cultivates an environment of awareness of the need for human subjects' protection and data quality.…”

A Call to Action for Musculoskeletal Research Funding

“…This call to action for increased research funding must also be accompanied by a corresponding call to action for more high-quality musculoskeletal research proposals 27 . Concerns have been raised regarding the overall quality of the orthopaedic literature 28-30 .…”

“…Therefore, this is a call to action for adequate musculoskeletal research funding to match the rising burden of these often-chronic conditions. This call to action for increased research funding must also be accompanied by a corresponding call to action for more high-quality musculoskeletal research proposals 27 . Concerns have been raised regarding the overall quality of the orthopaedic literature [28][29][30] .…”