The five major types of scientific projects sponsored by OPUS 12 Foundation are:
1. Retrospective studies.
2. Prospective studies.
3. Inter-disciplinary review projects that cover various medical and/or surgical topics.
4. Meta-analyses.
5. Inter-disciplinary consensus statements and meetings. These meetings will convene to discuss both medical and non-medical topics. We seek the foremost experts from various professions and scientific disciplines to take part in these meetings. For example, a topic of a consensus meeting and subsequent statement could be 'The effect of global warming on our medical systems'.
Please refer to the Research Participation page for details on how you and your institution can participate in OPUS 12 Foundation's research projects.
*** PRIOR TO PARTICIPATING IN OPUS 12 FOUNDATION STUDIES, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST PROVIDE A LETTER OF PERMISSION FROM THEIR INSTITUTION STATING THAT THEIR PARTICIPATION DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THEIR INSTITUTION'S POLICIES AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PERMITTED TO ENGAGE IN SUCH RESEARCH.
*** INSTITUTIONAL APPROVAL MUST BE OBTAINED FOR CONDUCT OF ALL RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE STUDIES AT EACH PARTICIPATING INSTITUTION.
Projects currently in preparation:
1. Retrospective studies:
(a) Management of grade IV or higher hepatic injuries.
(b) Trends in management of retroperitoneal hematomas.
2. Prospective studies:
(a) Antibiotics versus no antibiotics prior to chest tube placement.
3. Ongoing inter-disciplinary reviews:
(a) 'Unconventional' uses of the VAC system.
(b) Essential neuro-ICU monitoring techniques for the trauma surgeon.
(c) Impact of surgical retained foreign objects - a comprehensive review.
(d) ERCP-related Complications - a comprehensive review
4. Meta-analyses:
No active projects in this category.
5. Consensus meetings and statements:
(a) To the stars.... Will establishing colonies in space be the solution to the problems of our world? (Meeting date not set).
(b) What will be the impact of global warming on our medical systems? (Meeting date not set).
(c) The observer effect: How does quantum mechanics affect our current medical research? (Meeting date not set).
(d) From treating the patient to treating the cell: Evolution of molecular medicine. (Meeting date not set).
PROJECT TYPES IN MORE DETAIL:
1. Retrospective multi-institutional studies focus on management of conditions that are seen relatively rarely at any given institution, but when examined from the multi-center perspective allow for meaningful analyses and treatment comparisons. This is clearly superior to single-institution case reports or case series.
2. Prospective multi-institutional studies share a focus similar to that of our retrospective multi-institutional studies. More elaborate consent and institutional approval procedures are needed for these studies.
3. Inter-disciplinary reviews focusing on various medical and/or surgical topics are designed to enrich our existing medical knowledge by concentrating each topic into a concise, but thorough, review article.
4. Meta-analyses serve to analyze the collective published experience in a specific topic area.
5. Inter-disciplinary consensus meetings and statements aim to compile the knowledge of highly respected science experts from various disciplines and professions. The goals of consensus meetings are to share the knowledge and experience of highly respected scientists with other scientists and/or the public.