AO PEER
Clinical research education
Develop practical skills and knowledge in clinical research from study design and statistics to scientific publishing and research management.
Whether you are starting your first research project or strengthening existing research capabilities, AO PEER supports your continued development in clinical research.
AO PEER program includes:
- Online course: a self-directed course covering the principles of clinical research
- AO PEER platform: free supplementary resources across seven topic areas, available to all AO members
- Face-to-face courses: in-person training for hands-on, collaborative learning
Start your clinical research journey
Build foundational clinical research skills through AO PEER’s 20-hour self-directed online course covering research methodology, evidence-based medicine, GCP, scientific publishing, and study planning.
Built for every stage of your medical career
Residents and
fellows
Get confident in clinical research from day one.
Clinicians and surgeons
Design stronger studies and read statistics with confidence.
Researchers and academics
Sharpen your methodology and get work published faster.
Healthcare professionals
Turn research evidence into better decision making.
AO PEER Platform: Explore resources for clinical research education
Free supplementary resources to support your AO PEER course learning. Explore at your own pace.
Fundamentals of Research
Get grounded in the principles every clinical researcher needs from research ethics to evidence-based medicine and GCP.
Critical Reading
Learn to read a study with a sharp eye, appraise evidence, spot weaknesses and draw your own conclusions.
Grant writing and study protocols
Turn your research idea into a fundable proposal from shaping your question to writing a protocol that stands out.
Statistics
Make sense of the numbers behind clinical studies, the key statistical concepts you'll actually encounter in practice.
Publishing
Take your research from results to published paper: writing, submission and navigating peer review.
Study Management
Keep your study on track: practical tools for coordinating teams, documenting progress and managing the day-to-day.
Data Management
Collect clean, reliable data from the start and keep it that way throughout your study.
Your research journey with AO PEER
Learn
Practical clinical research skills
Apply
Real-world tools and methods
Advance
Publish, collaborate and grow
AO PEER task force
Dino Samartzis
United States
AO Spine
Frankie Leung
Hong Kong
AO Trauma
Matthew Allen
United Kingdom
AO VET
Risto Kontio
Finland
AO CMF
AO PEER is constantly evolving. AO PEER profits from the wealth of expertise available within the AO—through a commitment to best practices and excellence in research and education. AO PEER leverages these trusted resources, which were developed and evaluated by the AO PEER task force consisting of distinguished surgeon-researchers with the support of the AO Education Institute (AO EI), the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI), and the AO Innovation Translation Center (AO ITC).
Start your clinical research journey
Build foundational clinical research skills through AO PEER’s 20-hour self-directed online course covering research methodology, evidence-based medicine, GCP, scientific publishing, and study planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is AO PEER designed for?AO PEER is designed for clinicians, surgeons, residents, fellows, researchers and healthcare professionals who want to build or strengthen their clinical research skills, whether you are just starting out or looking to deepen existing knowledge.
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What topics are covered on AO PEER?AO PEER covers the full spectrum of clinical research: research methodology, study design, biostatistics, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ethics, scientific publishing, study management and data management.
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Is AO PEER suitable for early-career researchers?Yes. AO PEER includes foundational resources designed for healthcare professionals at the start of their research journey, as well as more advanced material for experienced researchers. The content is structured to be relevant at every career stage.
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Does AO PEER cover biostatistics?Yes. Biostatistics is one of the core topics covered in both the AO PEER course and the AO PEER Platform. The resources help you understand and apply the statistical concepts most commonly encountered in clinical studies and scientific literature: from interpreting study results to evaluating the quality of evidence.
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Does AO PEER include GCP training?Yes. Good Clinical Practice (GCP), the international ethical and scientific standard for designing and conducting clinical research involving human participants, is covered as part of the AO PEER course. It forms an essential component of the research fundamentals curriculum.
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Is AO PEER free?The AO PEER Platform, which includes supplementary learning resources across seven topic areas, is free for all AO members. The AO PEER online course (SDOC) is a paid programme. Visit the registration page for current pricing and enrolment details.
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How long does the AO PEER online course take?The AO PEER online course is a 20-hour programme covering the core principles of clinical research. It is designed to fit around a busy clinical schedule and can be completed in the way that suits you best.
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What is the difference between the AO PEER course and the AO PEER Platform?The AO PEER course is a structured 20-hour online programme that guides you through the core principles of clinical research from start to finish. The AO PEER Platform is a free supplementary resource library, available to all AO members, organised into seven topic areas including statistics, publishing and data management. The two work well together: the course provides the learning framework, and the Platform lets you go deeper on the topics that matter most to you.
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