An article recently published in Spine discusses the challenges and limitations of conducting and publishing results from high quality research that promotes evidence-based medicine in the spine field.
Authors of the article include Charles Fisher, MD, of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver; Alpesh A. Patel, MD, FACS, of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago; and Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD, PhD, of Thomas Jefferson University and The Rothman Institute in Philadelphia.
The article examines how the quality of studies has evolved over the past decade to stronger evidence-based medicine and analyzes the six articles chosen for the Evidence-Based Recommendations for Spine Surgery issue.
The studies focus on both quality of care and cost-effectiveness of spinal procedures. Issues are raised about study design and execution, and the authors recommend improvements for future studies on similar topics. In conclusion, the article urges more effort to conduct high-impact, high quality clinical research although they require hard work and extra effort.
"Looking at every possible limitation and eliminating it before the study commences will ensure better research. This is not easy; it's time consuming, requires patience and personal sacrifice, and is expensive. In the end, however, it will pay dividends to the patients who benefit from such efforts," concludes the article.
More Articles on Spine Surgery:
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Advantages, Economic Impact & Transitioning to Outpatient ASCs
14 Recent Spine & Neurosurgeon Achievements
Spinal Cases in Ambulatory Surgery Centers: 2014 Opportunities & Challenges