What is a surgical trial?
A surgical clinical trial is a research study which is designed to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and outcomes of surgical procedures or medical devices. A trial involves comparing a new surgical technique or device to the current standard of care. Participants are randomly assigned (“randomised”) to different treatment groups to minimize bias. The trial research team track outcomes such as recovery time and complication rates. The overall purpose of a trial is to provide evidence-based data to guide surgical practices and improve patient care.
What surgical trials could I join?
How patients and the public are involved in designing our trials
A Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Committee plays a vital role within the ISTAR Network by ensuring that the perspectives, needs, and experiences of patients and the public are integrated into the design, conduct, and reporting of surgical trials.
The PPI committee provides input on study protocols, participant information leaflets and recruitment strategies to enhance relevance, accessibility, and ethical standards. Collaboration between researchers and the community improves trial outcomes, promotes transparency, and builds public trust in the research process.
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