Looking Under the Hood: Factors that Drive Successful Study Group Participation and Publications in Pediatric Spine Programs

Introduction: Multicenter clinical research is critically important in a constantly evolving landscape, particularly early onset scoliosis (EOS). There variability from center to with regard the “quality of participation” such efforts as well publications on EOS. The purpose this study was examine factors associated “high-performing” centers. Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort 21 academic medical centers participating an EOS registry. Factors examined include personnel, spine focus, and regular participation faculty research, collected through eight-question survey. Outcomes included quality group, derived quarterly site reports generated by registry, average annual publication volume each institution obtained PubMed search. Univariable analyses were utilized investigate institutional performance volume. Results: All sites completed Centers full-time staff had higher scores (90 vs. 60, p=0.026) did dedicated meetings 70, p = 0.074) than those that lacked these features. Additionally, volumes more likely have (8.0 3.5, 0.115), team focused (8.9 4.8, 0.067), physician assistant (PA) or nurse >95% focus (9.0 5.4, 0.107). Conclusion: single most significant factor group having staff, being nearly significant. predictive primarily PA nurse. If institutions want improve we recommend investing factors.