TY  - JOUR
T1  - Multicenter Collaboration in Observational Research: Improving Generalizability and Efficiency
AU  - Sprague, Sheila
AU  - Matta, Joel M.
AU  - Bhandari, Mohit
Y1  - 2009/05/01
N1  - 10.2106/JBJS.H.01623
JO  - The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
SP  - 80
EP  - 86
VL  - 91
IS  - Supplement_3
N2  - Utilizing a multicenter approach in observational clinical research allows for improved generalizability of the results, a larger sample size, and, consequently, improved efficiency. This paper highlights important issues with regard to the organization of multicenter observational studies in orthopaedic research. Specifically, we emphasize the development of trial committees, stress the importance of having a methods center for the purpose of coordinating day-to-day study activities, and describe the roles of the participating clinical sites. The successful conduct of multicenter studies requires careful study organization, a dedicated and experienced methods center, and motivated participating surgeons and study staff at the clinical sites. To illustrate the organization of a multicenter initiative, we use the example of a total hip arthroplasty collaborative.
SN  - 0021-9355
M3  - doi: 10.2106/JBJS.H.01623
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.H.01623
ER  -