Embedding clinical trials within routine health-care delivery: Challenges and opportunities

The COVID-19 pandemic provides a pertinent reminder of the imperative to generate timely reliable clinical evidence. Delivery of optimal paediatric care is predicated on the availability of comprehensive, high quality, clinical evidence in a relevant population. However, over 80% of current clinical guidelines and bedside decisions are not based on direct high-level evidence. Integration of research activities into routine clinical care is paramount to address this shortfall. Active engagement of patients, families and hospital administrations is required to reframe integrated clinical trials as a tenet of quality health-care delivery. Current research funding in health care is 1–2 orders of magnitude below that of other industries. At an institutional level, investment in research should be prioritised with enhanced funding and supportive policies. Thoughtful integration of trials into routine bedside care will enable pragmatic research outcomes, tangible returns on financial investments and improved decision-making for patients in the medium- to long-term.