Every innovation in orthopaedics starts with an idea, a way to improve musculoskeletal patient care. Bringing that idea to fruition is a long and often complex road that requires researchers and clinicians to answer the questions “Is it safe?” and “Is it effective?”

Completing a clinical research trial is a necessary step to getting a new idea into clinical practice. However, planning and conducting a successful trial can be confusing at best. This year, the Orthopaedic Research Society’s (ORS) Clinical Research Forum—“Building, Funding and Joining the Orthopaedic Clinical Research Community”—will offer attendees tools and resources to navigate the path from bench to bedside.

Held as part of the 2014 ORS Annual Meeting, the all-day workshop takes a slightly different approach than previous offerings.

“It can be difficult for meeting attendees to devote an entire day to just one program,” said Kurt P. Spindler, MD, who chaired the Clinical Research Forum Committee. “To address that issue, we have divided the forum into three distinct sections. Meeting registrants are invited to the entire program, or only the section(s) that relates to them.” Each section offers a series of presentations by experts in their field, followed by a panel discussion and summary statement.

The Forum opens with a session on research opportunities and partnering with existing networks. Moderated by George F. Muschler, MD, the session is designed to provide detailed information about current research opportunities, including existing research networks in sports medicine, trauma, and spine.

The second section focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of registries, cohorts, and randomized clinical trials. Presenters will define and further explain the various types of clinical research trials and provide tips on choosing the right design.

The afternoon begins with a keynote address by Marc F. Swiontkowski, MD, on the process of translating research into the “real world’ of clinical practice. Finally, the third session, moderated by Michael J. Yaszemski, MD, PhD, will focus on funding mechanisms for clinical research—an area of particular interest to anyone struggling to secure and sustain funding. This section offers overviews of several funding avenues; speakers will include representatives from the National Institutes of Health, the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, and the AO Foundation, as well as from private and industry funders.

“Anyone looking to get an idea from their lab into clinical practice must come through a clinical research trial; it’s the last step in the path,” said Dr. Spindler. “This year’s ORS forum will help guide researchers through the process.”

The ORS Clinical Research Forum will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2014, immediately following the AAOS Annual Meeting. The Forum will be held at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. AAOS members who wish to attend must preregister at www.ors.org/ors2014aaos

Amber Blake is the communications manager for the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS). She can be reached at blake@ors.org