Postdoctoral Research Associate Rutgers University
Introduction:
Introduction: Although many Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACs) face a disproportionately high burden of neurosurgical conditions, research capacity and infrastructure are limited. Adequate resolution of research limitations relies on the accurate identification of causative barriers. We conducted a cross-sectional study of neurosurgeons in LACs to characterize research productivity, opportunities, and limitations.
Methods:
Methods: A self-administered 28-question survey was designed by the Young Neurosurgeons Forum on behalf of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies. The survey was distributed to neurosurgical practitioners and trainees via Qualtrics between September 2021 and March 2022. Data entered by respondents from LACs were extracted and analyzed using STATA. Income level was designated by country per the 2023 World Bank Income Classification index.
Results:
Results: A total of 92 respondents from LACs participated in the survey, representing 16 countries across the upper-middle income (n=79; 85.9%), lower-middle-income (n=6; 6.5%), and high-income (n=6; 6.5%) levels. Nearly half (n=44; 47.8%) had no peer-reviewed publications, although an overwhelming majority (n=91; 98.9%) agreed that neurosurgical research was important to better serve their local patient populations. Current research involvement was very limited, with only 7.6% (n=7) engaging in lab work. The most commonly reported barriers to research involvement were: lack of mentorship (n=58; 63%), lack of protected time from clinical duties (n=56; 60.9%), and lack of human resources (n=53; 57.6%). Access to research labs (n=15; 16.3%) and neurosurgical biobanks (n=5; 5.4%) was also lacking. However, collaborative research opportunities were available to half of the respondents (n=46; 50.0%) on the interdepartmental, regional, continental, and/or international levels.
Conclusion :
Conclusion: Our results help establish a baseline understanding of neurosurgical research capacity in LACs and the challenges faced by neurosurgeons and trainees. Our findings lay the groundwork for systemic changes and targeted capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening research capacity in LACs and other LMICs worldwide.
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