Toward Larger, More Definitive Trials: A North American Trainee-Led Research Collaborative

Sir: High-quality randomized controlled trials are lacking in the plastic surgery literature, as indicated by Voineskos et al. in their recent publications: “A Systematic Review of Surgical Randomized Controlled Trials: Part I. Risk of Bias and Outcomes: Common Pitfalls Plastic Surgeons Can Overcome”1 and “A Systematic Review of Surgical Randomized Controlled Trials: Part 2. Funding Source, Conflict of Interest, and Sample Size in Plastic Surgery.”2 As our Canadian colleagues suggested, producing larger, more definitive trials in the field can be accomplished through increased engagement and collaboration.2 One method currently used to accomplish this goal in the United Kingdom is the implementation of trainee-led research collaboratives. The benefits of these networks include large-scale data collection and patient recruitment in a shorter period, decreased repetition, and greater generalizability of findings.3 At present, over 25 trainee-led research networks exist in the United Kingdom spanning multiple specialties. We have taken the lessons learned by our British colleagues to heart. Our team of plastic surgery trainees were the first to adopt the trainee-led research collaborative model in Canada and have been working nationally as a part of the Canadian Plastic Surgery Research Collaborative since September of 2015 (www.cansurg.org). This network has representation from all 13 Canadian academic plastic surgical training programs and their affiliated health centers. Our collaborative consists of over 30 resident physicians, medical students, and attending members. To date, we have completed one national project, and have three other multicenter studies ongoing (Fig. 1).4Fig. 1.: Implementing a multicenter study through a trainee-led research collaborative. ICMJE, International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.Since launching, our neurosurgery colleagues have also adopted this model and have established the Canadian Neurosurgery Research Collaborative. We anticipate that this model will continue to gain popularity as other specialties and countries adopt and implement trainee-led research networks. We hope that this may someday lead to the establishment of a North American collaborative as we work toward a common goal of improving the level of evidence in the plastic surgery literature. DISCLOSURE The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this communication. Mona T. Al-Taha, B.B.A.Faculty of Medicine Sarah A. Al Youha, M.D. Osama Samargandi, M.D.Division of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryDalhousie UniversityHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Helene Retrouvey, M.D.C.M.Division of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryUniversity of TorontoToronto, Ontario, Canada Michael Bezuhly, F.R.C.S.C.Division of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryDalhousie UniversityHalifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaOn behalf of the Canadian Plastic Surgery ResearchCollaborative

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