[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Bhandari_Mohit_2005.jpg” caption=”Mohit Bhandari, an orthopaedic surgeon and Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal Trauma at McMaster University.”]Mohit Bhandari, an orthopaedic surgeon and Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal Trauma at McMaster University, is leading an International Hip Fracture Research Collaborative to develop large clinical trials to improve health outcomes in patients suffering from hip fractures, at a two-day meeting beginning today.

The collaborative represents more than 200 leading hip fracture surgeons from 20 countries in North America, Europe, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Bhandari is joined by key leading McMaster researchers, Gordon Guyatt, P.J. Devereaux, and Stephen Walter, in hosting this week's meeting at the Wyndam Bristol Place Toronto Airport Hotel.

“When looking at how to resolve the current uncertainties in hip fracture management and ultimately minimize morbidity and mortality, we find the model of cardiology instructive,” said Bhandari. “Twenty years ago the management of acute coronary syndromes was uncertain. Large, relatively simple, international randomized trials have led to an enormous reduction in mortality and morbidity through the definitive demonstration of optimal management approaches.

“We believe this model can guide us in achieving a similar improvement in management and outcomes of patients with hip fracture.”

The internationally recognized group of surgeons and researchers hopes to identify key, unresolved issues related to hip fractures in order to focus future clinical research in the operative management of patients; bridge smaller ongoing research networks in North America and Europe into a large, single collaborative effort; and design, plan and co-ordinate timely large randomized trials to provide definitive answers to the priority research questions identified by the participating investigators.

The initiative is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, International Opportunities Program.