Unfortunately, knowing how to identify good and bad (and premature) information, and how to filter out relevant information in today’s flood of publications in the field of medicine is likely to remain an intractable problem for all of us involved in conducting or assessing clinical research for the foreseeable future. This is why the critical appraisal techniques of evidence-based medicine are invaluable.
Starr10 in writing about the advances in fracture repair achieved by the AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation), says that, “Fortunately, the surgical pioneers who described early use of these techniques were harsh critics of their own work. The need for better methods and implants was evident.” From its founding, the AO inculcated a culture in which data, positive or negative, was shared.
Perhaps the ‘Golden Age of Orthopedic Surgery’ has already passed. But even with all of the advances in today’s operating room, we should continue to strive to improve what it is we do, even if it is only incrementally. As this editorial has illustrated, complacency about clinical research data presents a challenge to better patient care. We need to continue to be inquisitive and questioning in our quest to be better!
Dr. Helfet is Associate Editor of Trauma of this journal; Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Cornell University Medical College; and Director of the Orthopaedic Trauma Service, at the Hospital for Special Surgery and New York–Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York. Dr. Hanson is Director and Mr. De Faoite is Education Manager, AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation) Clinical Investigation and Documentation (AOCID), Dübendorf, Switzerland.
Authors’ Disclosure Statement: The authors report no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.
Am J Orthop. 2013;42(9):399-400. Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2013. All rights reserved.