Description
This video segment features Xavier Griffin discussing the challenges faced in clinical trials, particularly in trauma and orthopedic research. He reflects on the gratifying sessions at a recent British Orthopedic Association meeting, specifically highlighting a impactful 10:30 session where definitive answers were presented from four large studies involving 8,500 patients. Despite these highlights, Griffin expresses the current difficulties in conducting studies due to lingering effects from COVID-19, including pressures on research infrastructure. He candidly discusses the painful experience of study closures and the emotional toll it takes on investigators.
Griffin shares insights from a failed study named TrAFFix, which aimed to compare surgical methods for distal femoral fractures. He outlines the recruitment challenges, noting the stark contrast between expected and actual participant enrollment and the barriers to randomization. He cites a significant lack of equipoise among surgeons, highlighting that eligible patients often weren't included in the study due to surgeons' reluctance to participate in a trial setting.
He emphasizes the need for better communication and understanding between researchers and clinicians to address these barriers and improve future studies. Griffin concludes by reiterating the camaraderie in the orthopedic community and the importance of conducting research as it ultimately benefits patient care. Despite the challenges, he expresses a sense of enthusiasm for continuing collaborative research efforts to advance the field.