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Shakir M, Khowaja AH, Shariq SF, Irshad HA, Tahir I, Rae AI, Hamzah R, Gupta S, Park KB, Enam SA. Workforce Challenges for the Neurosurgical Care of Brain Tumors in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review. World Neurosurg 2024:S1878-8750(24)01057-X. [PMID: 38925244 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.06.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Limited neurosurgical workforces remain one of the critical problems experienced in low resource settings. Therefore, our study aims to explore and summarize the key challenges to neurosurgical care of brain tumors in terms of workforce in LMICs. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar from inception to October 20, 2022. All extracted data were screened independently by 2 reviewers and thematically analyzed. We found and screened 3764 articles, of which 33 studies were included in our final analysis as per our inclusion criteria. Among the studies included, 33% highlighted the limited number of neurosurgeons, 39% emphasized the absence of specialized surgical teams, 7% pointed out a shortage of nursing staff, and 4% noted suboptimal anesthesia teams. The study uncovered the need for improved training programs in neuro-oncology (32%) and neuro-anesthesia (3%), as well as improved collaboration (32%), and multidisciplinary team structures (15%), are essential for tackling these workforce challenges and improving patient outcomes. It is crucial to implement targeted interventions and policy changes to address the barriers to the workforce in providing effective neurosurgical care to patients with brain tumors in developing countries. This might entail capacity building and training programs for healthcare professionals. Policymakers should consider allocating resources and funding for workforce development and making neurosurgical care a priority in healthcare plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shakir
- Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | | | | | | | - Izza Tahir
- Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ali I Rae
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Program for Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Radzi Hamzah
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Program for Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Saksham Gupta
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Program for Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kee B Park
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Program for Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Syed Ather Enam
- Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
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El Bairi K, Trapani D, Nidhamalddin SJ, Khan SZ, Chowdhury AR, Lengyel CG, Hussain S, Habeeb BS, Petrillo A, Omar NE, Altuna S, Seid FU, Elfaham E, Seeber A, Roitberg F, Burguete-Torres A, El Kefi S, Hammad N, Mutebi M, Al Jarroudi O, El Kadmiri N, Curigliano G, Afqir S. Global Landscape of the Attack of Predatory Journals in Oncology. JCO Glob Oncol 2024; 10:e2300287. [PMID: 38781549 DOI: 10.1200/go.23.00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Open-access publishing expanded opportunities to give visibility to research results but was accompanied by the proliferation of predatory journals (PJos) that offer expedited publishing but potentially compromise the integrity of research and peer review. To our knowledge, to date, there is no comprehensive global study on the impact of PJos in the field of oncology. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 29 question-based cross-sectional survey was developed to explore knowledge and practices of predatory publishing and analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. RESULTS Four hundred and twenty-six complete responses to the survey were reported. Almost half of the responders reported feeling pressure to publish from supervisors, institutions, and funding and regulatory agencies. The majority of authors were contacted by PJos through email solicitations (67.8%), with fewer using social networks (31%). In total, 13.4% of the responders confirmed past publications on PJo, convinced by fast editorial decision time, low article-processing charges, limited peer review, and for the promise of academic boost in short time. Over half of the participants were not aware of PJo detection tools. We developed a multivariable model to understand the determinants to publish in PJos, showing a significant correlation of practicing oncology in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and predatory publishing (odds ratio [OR], 2.02 [95% CI, 1.01 to 4.03]; P = .04). Having previous experience in academic publishing was not protective (OR, 3.81 [95% CI, 1.06 to 13.62]; P = .03). Suggestions for interventions included educational workshops, increasing awareness through social networks, enhanced research funding in LMICs, surveillance by supervisors, and implementation of institutional actions against responsible parties. CONCLUSION The prevalence of predatory publishing poses an alarming problem in the field of oncology, globally. Our survey identified actionable risk factors that may contribute to vulnerability to PJos and inform guidance to enhance research capacity broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid El Bairi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Ben Guerir, Morocco
| | - Dario Trapani
- European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Shah Zeb Khan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Binor, Bannu, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Sadaqat Hussain
- Oncology Department, University Hospital of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Nabil Elhadi Omar
- Pharmacy Department, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Clinical and Population Health Research, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara Altuna
- Medical Oncology, Oncomédica Clinic, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Fahmi Usman Seid
- Department of Oncology, Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Essam Elfaham
- Hemato-Oncology Department Kuwait Cancer Control Center, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Andreas Seeber
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Alan Burguete-Torres
- Gastrointestinal Tumors Unit, University of Nuevo Leon Cancer Center, Monterrey, México
| | - Safa El Kefi
- Stevens Institute of Technology, School of Systems and Enterprises, Hoboken, NJ
| | - Nazik Hammad
- Department of Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Miriam Mutebi
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ouissam Al Jarroudi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed Ist University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Nadia El Kadmiri
- Molecular Engineering, Biotechnology and Innovation Team, Geo-Bio-Environment Engineering and Innovation Laboratory, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taroudant, IBN ZOHR University, Taroudannt, Morocco
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Said Afqir
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed I University, Oujda, Morocco
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Al-Amad SH, Bankvall M, Okoh M, Smith DK, Kerr AR, Sollecito TP, Peterson DE, Elad S, Warnakulasuriya S, Greenberg MS, Farag AM, Gueiros LA, Shiboski CH. World Workshop on Oral Medicine VIII: Barriers to research in oral medicine: results from a global survey. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2023; 136:584-594. [PMID: 37574377 DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2023.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore factors influencing research interest and productivity and perceived barriers to conducting research in Oral Medicine (OM). METHODS Invitations to participate in an online survey were e-mailed to a network of international OM practitioners and related professional organizations. Questions captured respondents' demographic/professional variables and gauged research interest, productivity, and perceived barriers to conducting research specifically in OM. Statistical analysis was conducted via descriptive, logistic regression, and multivariate modeling. RESULTS Five hundred and ninety-three OM practitioners from 55 countries completed the survey, with 54%, 25%, and 21% practicing in high, upper-middle, and lower-middle-income countries, respectively. Eighty-six percent of respondents were interested in conducting research. Age (less interest with an increase in age), working in academia, and practicing in a lower-middle vs high-income country were significant predictors of research interest. Self-reported research productivity was significantly greater among males, those working in academia, and those who graduated from programs that mandated research presentation/publication. Obtaining research funding was a significant barrier among respondents from lower and upper-middle-income countries, whereas finding time for research was a reported barrier by respondents from high-income countries. CONCLUSION The results of this survey identified perceived barriers to conducting research in OM and highlighted solutions to address such barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhail H Al-Amad
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences. College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Maria Bankvall
- Division of Oral Diagnostics and Rehabilitation, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Mercy Okoh
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Medicine Department, School of Dentistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Derek K Smith
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alexander R Kerr
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas P Sollecito
- Department of Oral Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Douglas E Peterson
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Sharon Elad
- Division of Oral Medicine, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Martin S Greenberg
- Department of Oral Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Arwa M Farag
- Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, King AbdulAziz University Faculty of Dentistry, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Luiz Alcino Gueiros
- Department of Clinical and Preventive Dentistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Caroline H Shiboski
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Minta KJ, Vacek A, Kaliaperumal C. h-Index, Journal Citation Indicator, and Other Impact Factors in Neurosurgical Publications: Is There a Cost Factor That Determines the Quality? World Neurosurg 2023; 171:e631-e643. [PMID: 36563852 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.12.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There has been an increase in number of Neurosurgical publications, including open access (OA), in recent years. We aimed to compare journals' performance and the relationship to submission fees incurred in publication. METHODS We identified 53 journals issuing neurosurgery-related work. Quantitative analysis from various search engines involved obtaining h-index, Journal Citation Indicator (JCI), and other metrics such as Immediacy Index and 5-year impact factor utilising Journal Citation Reports. OA fees and individual subscription fees were collected. Correlations were produced using Spearman rho (ρ) (P < 0.05). RESULTS Median h-index for 53 journals was 54 (range: 0-292), with JCI median reported as 0.785 (range: 0-2.45). Median Immediacy Index was 0.797 (range: 0-4.076), and median for 5-year impact factor was 2.76 (range: 0-12.704). There was a very strong positive correlation between JCI and Immediacy Index, JCI and 5-year impact factor, and 5-year impact factor and Immediacy Index (ρ > 0.7, P < 0.05). It is unclear whether there was any correlation between the indices and the OA costs and subscription costs for personal usage (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Larger costs incurred for OA fees and subscription costs for personal use do not clearly reflect on the journals' performance, as quantified by using various indices. There appears to be a strong association with performance across the journals' metrics. It would be beneficial to include learning about bibliometric indices' impact for research publications in medical education training to maximize the quality of the scientific work produced and increase the visibility of the information produced. The potential full movement to exclusively OA journals would create a significant barrier for junior researchers, small institutions, and full time-trainee physicians with limited funding available. This study suggests the need for a robust measurement of journals' output and the quality of the work produced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna J Minta
- University of Aberdeen School of Medicine Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
| | - Adam Vacek
- University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Strydom A, Mellet J, Van Rensburg J, Viljoen I, Athanasiadis A, Pepper MS. Open access and its potential impact on public health - A South African perspective. Front Res Metr Anal 2022; 7:975109. [PMID: 36531754 PMCID: PMC9755351 DOI: 10.3389/frma.2022.975109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, access to research information has been restricted through journal subscriptions. This means that research entities and individuals who were unable to afford subscription costs did not have access to journal articles. There has however been a progressive shift toward electronic access to journal publications and subsequently growth in the number of journals available globally. In the context of electronic journals, both open access and restricted access options exist. While the latter option is comparable to traditional, subscription-based paper journals, open access journal publications follow an "open science" publishing model allowing scholarly communications and outputs to be publicly available online at no cost to the reader. However, for readers to enjoy open access, publication costs are shifted elsewhere, typically onto academic institutions and authors. SARS-CoV-2, and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the benefits of open science through accelerated research and unprecedented levels of collaboration and data sharing. South Africa is one of the leading open access countries on the African continent. This paper focuses on open access in the South African higher education research context with an emphasis on our Institution and our own experiences. It also addresses the financial implications of open access and provides possible solutions for reducing the cost of publication for researchers and their institutions. Privacy in open access and the role of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in medical research and secondary use of data in South Africa will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael S. Pepper
- SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Cell Research and Therapy, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Bourlon MT, Jiménez Franco B, Castro-Alonso FJ, Bourlon C, Matar CF, Gunn E, Ginsburg O, Lopes G, Segelov E. Global Oncology Authorship and Readership Patterns. JCO Glob Oncol 2022; 8:e2100299. [PMID: 35258989 PMCID: PMC8920442 DOI: 10.1200/go.21.00299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Global Oncology is the movement to improve equitable access to cancer control and care, recognizing challenges because of economic and social factors between high-, middle-, and low-income countries (HIC, MIC, and LIC, respectively). The JCO Global Oncology (JCO GO) is a major platform dedicated to publishing peer-reviewed research relevant to populations with limited resources. To assess the success of its goals of encouraging global interaction and increasing MIC and LIC engagement, we analyzed authorship and readership patterns. METHODS Metadata of logged views between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, of articles published in 2018 by JCO GO were identified using Google Analytics. The country of origin of each author and those who accessed the journal were categorized according to the 2019 income group World Bank Classification (WBC). RESULTS One hundred thirty-two articles were published in JCO GO in 2018. Corresponding authors came from 34 nations: 35% HIC, 47% MIC, and 18% LIC. The top publishing countries were the United States, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Nigeria. Article authors were solely from within one WBC group in 41% (23% HIC, 16% MIC, and 2% LIC). In those with mixed-WBC authorship origins, collaborations were 42% HIC + MIC, 11% HIC + LIC, and 6% HIC + MIC + LIC, but none with MIC + LIC. Regarding viewing, 87,860 views originated from 180 countries (82% of the WBC list): 35% HIC, 51% MIC, and 14% LIC. The most common accessing nations were the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Ethiopia. CONCLUSION More than half of JCO GO's authorship comes from mixed WBC groups, with viewership extending to most of the world's nations. Areas to address are low level of LIC corresponding authors, few papers from authors across all WBC groups, no publications from MIC + LIC collaborations, and a low percentage of readership by LIC. These data provide focus to target interventions aimed at reducing the academic segregation of LIC and improving interactions across all WBC countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria T Bourlon
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Brenda Jiménez Franco
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Christianne Bourlon
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Charbel F Matar
- American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Emilie Gunn
- American Society of Clinical Oncology, Alexandria, VA
| | - Ophira Ginsburg
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY
| | - Gilberto Lopes
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Eva Segelov
- Monash University and Monash Health, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
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Busse CE, Anderson EW, Endale T, Smith YR, Kaniecki M, Shannon C, August ET. Strengthening research capacity: a systematic review of manuscript writing and publishing interventions for researchers in low-income and middle-income countries. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2021-008059. [PMID: 35165096 PMCID: PMC8845213 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Health researchers from low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) are under-represented in the academic literature. Scientific writing and publishing interventions may help researchers publish their findings; however, we lack evidence about the prevalence and effectiveness of such interventions. This review describes interventions for researchers in LMICs aimed at strengthening capacity for writing and publishing academic journal articles. METHODS We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to report literature searches in PubMed, Embase, Global Health, Scopus and ERIC. Our keywords included LMICs, low-income and middle-income countries, health research and writing/publication support interventions, with no restrictions on publication date. Our screening process consisted of title screening, abstract review and full-text review. We collected information about the content, implementation and evaluation of each intervention, if included. RESULTS We identified 20 interventions designed to strengthen capacity for scientific writing and publishing. We summarised information from the 14 interventions that reported submitted or published papers as outcomes separately, reasoning that because they provide quantifiable metrics of success, they may offer particular insights into intervention components leading to publication. The writing and publishing components in this 'Publications Reported' group were an average length of 5.4 days compared with 2.5 days in the other group we refer to as 'Other Interventions.' Whereas all 14 Publications Reported interventions incorporated mentors, only two of five in the Other Interventions group incorporated mentors. Across interventions, leaders expressed the importance of a high ratio of mentors to participants, the need to accommodate time demands of busy researchers, and the necessity of a budget for open access fees and high-quality internet connectivity. CONCLUSION Writing and publishing interventions in LMICs are an underutilised opportunity for capacity strengthening. To facilitate the implementation of high-quality interventions, future writing and publishing interventions should share their experiences by publishing detailed information about the approach and effectiveness of the interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara E Busse
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elizabeth W Anderson
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Tamrat Endale
- Center for International Reproductive Health Training, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yolanda Regina Smith
- Center for International Reproductive Health Training, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Marie Kaniecki
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Carol Shannon
- Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ella T August
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Gmeiner A, Trimmel M, Gaglia-Essletzbichler A, Schrank B, Süßenbacher-Kessler S, Amering M. Diversity in high-impact psychiatric publishing: gender parity within reach? Arch Womens Ment Health 2022; 25:327-333. [PMID: 35024945 PMCID: PMC8756164 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-021-01202-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Gender parity and authorship diversity are declared goals in the publishing world. This study assessed the progress of authorship gender distribution over a quarter of a century and geographic diversity over the last 15 years in high-impact psychiatric journals. All articles published in 2019 in the American Journal of Psychiatry, the British Journal of Psychiatry, and JAMA Psychiatry were included and compared with data from three points in time starting in 1994. Descriptive statistics were gathered, and chi-square tests were performed. All tests were conducted as two-tailed, and p-values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Inter-rater reliability was calculated via Cohen's kappa. In 2019 a total of 473 articles were published. Forty percent of all authors, 42.3% of first authors, and 29.4% of senior authors were female. Counting original research articles only, female first authorship reached 50.4%. In the 25-year period between 1994 and 2019, female first (p < .001), female senior (p < .001), and female overall (p < .001) authorship has increased. In the specific period between 2014 and 2019, overall female senior authorship in all articles (p = .940) as well as first (p = .101) and senior (p = .157) in original research plateaued. In non-original research articles, female first authorship was higher in 2019 compared to 2014 (p = .014), whilst female senior authorship plateaued (p = .154). Geographic diversity was low and did not change over time. Gender parity in the subcategory original research articles was reached for the first time in 2019. Senior female authorship and geographic diversity remain areas of concern that need further investigation and specific interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gmeiner
- Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Melanie Trimmel
- Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Amy Gaglia-Essletzbichler
- Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria ,Division of Psychology, Bangor University Wales, Bangor, UK
| | - Beate Schrank
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Karl Landsteiner University for Health Sciences, University Clinic Tulln, Tulln, Austria
| | - Stefanie Süßenbacher-Kessler
- Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Amering
- Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Lu PW, Semeniv S, Shabat G, Welten V, Pylypchuk VI, Galyuk V, Fields AC, Melnitchouk N. Barriers to Evidence-Based Colorectal Cancer Care in Ukraine. World J Surg 2021; 45:3288-3294. [PMID: 34342687 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-021-06267-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in many low- to middle-income countries, including Ukraine. Ukraine reports high mortality rates in CRC patients. To identify potential areas for targeted interventions to improve CRC care in Ukraine, we investigated Ukrainian clinician perspectives on evidence-based CRC treatment guidelines. METHODS An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study design was used. A survey was administered to attendees of a regional surgical conference. Semi-structured interviews were subsequently performed with practicing clinicians in Ukraine. Interviews were coded to identify prominent themes. RESULTS Quantitative: 105 clinicians completed the survey. 76% of respondents reported using guidelines in daily practice. Lack of English proficiency was cited by 28.6% of respondents as a barrier to guideline use. Improved knowledge and additional financial resources were reported as factors that would be helpful in providing evidence-based care. QUANTITATIVE 15 clinicians were interviewed. Two major themes were identified: limitations in access to the medical literature resources (language barriers and financial barriers), and sense of clinician initiative and willingness to learn despite hardships. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians in Ukraine have positive perspectives on utilization of evidence-based CRC treatment guidelines. However, they face major barriers in accessing resources needed to keep up-to-date on the current literature. Fortunately, there exists both willingness and initiative on the clinician level to pursue continuing education. Efforts should be made on the international society level to improve open-access and foreign language translation availability to support physicians in Ukraine and other low- to middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela W Lu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Solomiia Semeniv
- National Children's Specialized Hospital "Ohmatdyt", Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Galyna Shabat
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Surgery, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
| | - Vanessa Welten
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Volodymyr I Pylypchuk
- Department of Surgery, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
| | - Volodymyr Galyuk
- Department of Surgery, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
| | - Adam C Fields
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Nelya Melnitchouk
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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de Oliveira AJM, Ramos MB, Bohn D, Siqueira MG, Figueiredo EG. Publication Trends of Nonobstetric Brachial Plexus Injury Research: A Bibliometric Analysis. World Neurosurg 2021; 153:131-138.e2. [PMID: 34166833 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.06.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate publication trends in nonobstetric brachial plexus injury research. METHODS In September 2020, Scopus was searched for articles on nonobstretric brachial plexus injury. Citation count, year of publication, country of corresponding author and its income category, destiny journal and its 5-year impact factor (IF), and research type were retrieved. RESULTS The analysis comprised 1245 articles. Mean number of citations per article was 18.01 (95% confidence interval 16.46-19.55). Mean IF was 3.60 (95% confidence interval 3.25-3.95). The 5 most prolific journals had an IF <5. The journal with the highest number of articles was the Journal of Hand Surgery (American Volume) (n = 70, 5.6%). The most prolific country was the United States (n = 313, 25.1%). There were 913 articles (73.3%) from high-income countries, 246 (19.8%) from upper middle-income countries, and 68 (5.5%) from lower middle-income countries. No articles were from low-income countries. The representation of middle-income countries increased from 2.1% of published articles in 1980-1989 to 40.0% in 2010-2019. Primary research represented 64.0% (n = 797) of articles, while secondary research and case reports represented 13.0% (n = 162) and 23.0% (n = 286) of articles, respectively. Narrative reviews (n = 142, 11.4%;) and systematic reviews (n = 20, 1.6%) comprised articles from the secondary research group. CONCLUSIONS While high-income countries still represent the majority of publications, the contribution of researchers from middle-income countries is increasing. The most common destiny journals are field specific, with a relatively low IF. Although most articles are primary research, a representative portion have a shallow level of evidence (case reports and narrative reviews).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel Bertelli Ramos
- School of Medicine, University of Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Daniel Bohn
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Patterson RH, Xu MJ, Okerosi S, Bhutta MF, Der C, Alkire B, Njogu R, Vendra V, Tamir SO, Fagan JJ. Research Equity in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. OTO Open 2021; 5:2473974X211024145. [PMID: 34212124 PMCID: PMC8216382 DOI: 10.1177/2473974x211024145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Equitable research collaborations benefit the quality and relevance of global otolaryngology-head and neck surgery research. However, analyses of existing global health literature have shown disproportionate representation by foreign authors. To avert this inequity and improve global otolaryngology-head and neck surgery research, we propose a framework that emphasizes local representation and capacity building in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolvix Harlan Patterson
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mary Jue Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Samuel Okerosi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Machakos Level Five Hospital, Machakos, Kenya
| | - Mahmood F. Bhutta
- University Hospitals Sussex, Brighton, UK
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Carolina Der
- School of Medicine, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo; Otorhinolaryngology Department, Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna Children’s Hospital, Santiago, Chile
| | - Blake Alkire
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Global Surgery Evaluation, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Global Health Equity, Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rose Njogu
- SH:24 Sexual and Adolescent Reproductive Health, London, UK
| | - Varun Vendra
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sharon Ovnat Tamir
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Ben Gurion University, Ashdod, Israel
| | - Johannes J. Fagan
- Division of Otolaryngology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Dan B. Curating clinical science: what is the future of academic publishing? Dev Med Child Neurol 2021; 63:4. [PMID: 33320339 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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