The AO Innovation Translation Center (AO ITC) drives knowledge creation to improve patient care and outcomes. Staff within Clinical Evidence and Knowledge Forums currently support 80+ ongoing clinical studies with over 10,000 enrolled patients, and have delivered more than 750 peer-reviewed publications since 2001. To address the most urgent questions in orthopedic and trauma surgery, AO ITC staff work closely with expert surgeons, sharing their expertise in medical affairs, statistics, medical writing, data management, quality management, and regulatory affairs. This high-level collaboration allows innovation to be brought into hospitals and clinics faster.

Clinical Research Symposium attendees from left: Katrin Simioni, Ramona Ritzmann, Ted Miclau, Janneke Loomans, Olesja Hazenbiller and Tracy Zhu.

The recent European Orthopedic Research Society (EORS) conference, held in the beautiful alpine town of Davos in June 2025, saw Ted Miclau (Chair of the AO Clinical Science Advisory Commission) joining forces with AO ITC Clinical Evidence staff Ramona Ritzman, Alexander Joeris, Katrin Simoni, Tracy Zhu, Janneke Loomans and Olesja Hazenbiller to showcase best practice in clinical research.

Topics included the importance of clinical data collection; the challenges and pitfalls inherent to international clinical studies; and methods to boost the implementation of research findings in the clinical setting. Ultimately, this high-impact clinical research allows patients to receive clinical care of the highest quality and fulfills the enduring AO mission to improve patient care and outcomes.

Ted Miclau, Chair of the AO Clinical Science Advisory Commission, says:

"Clinical research is the backbone of bringing technological and clinical innovations to patient care. With its well-rounded, world-class research team and extensive surgeon network, the AO is highly positioned to conduct critical studies to change clinical practice. This symposium reviewed key facets of the conduct of international clinical trials, from study design to knowledge translation.”