ArticleBMJ open2021
Neurosurgeons' experiences of conducting and disseminating clinical research in low-income and middle-income countries: a reflexive thematic analysis.
Article in BMJ open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Survival times of patients with glioblastoma in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosurgical review · 2022Pooled it
- Global disparities in neurosurgical literature: a narrative review of underrepresentation of low- and middle-income countries and pathways to research equity.Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2026Article
- Caring for prisoners with dementia: a reflexive thematic analysis through a salutogenic lens.BMC nursing · 2025Article
- The role of advocacy and policy in advancing global neurosurgery.Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2025Review
- Neuronavigation-guided brain surgery - A retrospective case series from Malawi (2022-2025).Brain & spine · 2025Article
- Article
- The Field of Neurosurgery in Kenya: Challenges Faced by Early Career Researchers and Recommendations.Neurosurgical review · 2024Article
- The current state, advancements and challenges of neurosurgical care in Rwanda - a short report.Neurosurgical review · 2024Article
- Insights into craniosynostosis management in low- and middle-income countries: A narrative review of outcomes, shortcomings and paediatric neurosurgery capacity.SAGE open medicine · 2024Review
- Academic neurosurgery in Nepal: Present status and future directions.Brain & spine · 2023Article
- The impact of limited access to electronic medical records on neurosurgical care within the CARICOM countries: A survey and scoping review.Brain & spine · 2023Article
- Traumatic brain injury: progress and challenges in prevention, clinical care, and research.The Lancet. Neurology · 2022Review
- Remote Follow-Up Technologies in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review.Journal of neurotrauma · 2022Article
- The Application of Guideline-Based Care for Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Provider-Based Survey.World neurosurgery: X · 2022Article
- The Value and Potential of Qualitative Research Methods in Neurosurgery.World neurosurgery · 2022Article
- Practical Tools and Guidelines for Young Oncologists From Resource-Limited Settings to Publish Excellence and Advance Their Career.JCO global oncology · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesLow-income and-middle-income countries (LMICs) are increasing investment in research and development, yet there remains a paucity of neurotrauma research published by those in LMICs. The aim of this study was to understand neurosurgeons' experiences of, aspirations for, and ability to conduct and disseminate clinical research in LMICs.
designThis was a two-stage inductive qualitative study situated within the naturalistic paradigm. This study committed to an interpretivist way of knowing (epistemology), and considered reality subjective and multiple (ontology). Data collection used online methods and included a web-based survey tool for demographic data, an asynchronous online focus group and follow-up semistructured interviews. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's Reflexive Thematic Analysis supported by NVivo V.12.
settingLMICs.
participantsIn April-July 2020, 26 neurosurgeons from 11 LMICs participated in this study (n=24 in the focus groups, n=20 in follow-up interviews).
resultsThe analysis gave rise to five themes: The local landscape; creating capacity; reach and impact; collaborative inquiry; growth and sustainability. Each theme contained an inhibitor and stimulus to neurosurgeons conducting and disseminating clinical research, interpreted as 'the neurosurgical research potential in LMICs'. Mentorship, education, infrastructure, impact and engagement were identified as specific accelerators. Whereas lack of generalisability, absence of dissemination and dissemination without peer review may desensitise the impact of research conducted by neurosurgeons.
conclusionThe geographical, political and population complexities make research endeavour challenging for neurosurgeons in LMICs. Yet in spite of, and because of, these complexities LMICs provide rich opportunities to advance global neurosurgery. More studies are required to evaluate the specific effects of accelerators of research conducted by neurosurgeons and to understand the effects of desensitisers on high-quality, high-impact clinical research.
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