This workshop addressed challenges of clinical research in neurosurgery. Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) have high internal validity, but often insufficiently generalize to real-world practice. Observational studies are inclusive but often lack sufficient rigor. The workshop considered possible solutions, such as (1) statistical methods for demonstrating causality using observational data; (2) characteristics required of a registry supporting effectiveness research; (3) trial designs combining advantages of observational studies and RCTs; and (4) equipoise, an identified challenge for RCTs. In the future, advances in information technology potentially could lead to creation of a massive database where clinical data from all neurosurgeons are integrated and analyzed, ending the separation of clinical research and practice and leading to a new "science of practice."

作者：Patricia, Walicke；Aviva, Abosch；Anthony, Asher；Fred G, Barker；Zoher, Ghogawala；Robert, Harbaugh；Lara, Jehi；John, Kestle；Walter, Koroshetz；Roderick, Little；Donald, Rubin；Alex, Valadka；Stephen, Wisniewski；E Antonio, Chiocca

来源：Neurosurgery 2017 年 80卷 4期