Editorial Commentary: Registries, Prospective Cohorts, and Predictors of Outcomes: Why Bother?

Abstract

Large registries and prospective cohorts are so expensive, time intensive, and tedious that one may wonder, "Are they worth it?" The answer lies in our core desire to do better. To continually improve the care of our patients and advance our field of orthopaedic surgery, research is required. Basic research is without doubt of great value, but essential to this advancement is quality clinical outcomes research. Without it, we are vulnerable to multiple missed turns and dead ends on our road to ever improving care of our patients.