Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41576316›Full record

ArticleJCO global oncology2026

Overcoming Logistical Barriers to Conducting Collaborative Clinical Research Between a High-Income Country and a Low- and Middle-Income Country.

Surbhi Grover, Allison Chambers, Chinenye Azoba, Rohini K Bhatia, Nthabiseng Phaladze, Motseiwa Mokalake, Bramwell Koyabe, John B Jemmott, Erle Robertson, Nicola Zetola and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JCO global oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Surbhi GroverDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.ORCID 0000-0001-7443-5937
Allison ChambersDepartment of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, PA.ORCID 0000-0001-6867-3330
Chinenye AzobaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.ORCID 0000-0003-3853-0878
Rohini K BhatiaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.ORCID 0000-0002-1444-7378
Nthabiseng PhaladzeSchool of Nursing, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.ORCID 0000-0002-4669-9385
Motseiwa MokalakeSchool of Nursing, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
Bramwell KoyabeDepartment of Educational Foundations, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.ORCID 0000-0002-1145-1021
John B JemmottAnnenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.ORCID 0000-0003-2831-8240
Erle RobertsonDepartment of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.ORCID 0000-0002-6088-2979
Nicola ZetolaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.ORCID 0000-0003-0712-8579
Doreen Ramogola-MasireFaculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.ORCID 0000-0001-9624-8366

Funding

Shared Resources CoreU54CA190158 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · PI ROBERTSON, ERLE S. · 2014 to 2023
$4.2M
NCI NIH HHS U54 CA190158
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeBuilding equitable research collaborations between high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires effective coordination among international ethical review committees, which is often logistically challenging. This case report presents the insights gained when acquiring ethical approval for a cervical cancer research program conducted jointly by the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Botswana.

methodsWe conducted a descriptive case study of the Ipabalele project, a 6-year HIC-LMIC partnership involving three complex research protocols that required approvals by multiple distinct ethical bodies. We analyzed various challenges affecting review procedures, timelines, and staffing. We then documented strategies employed in Ipabalele and other global initiatives to strengthen ethical review processes and build research capacity in LMICs.

resultsIn Ipabalele, ethical approvals were initially delayed by 2 years because of fragmented review processes with variable timelines and conflicting recommendations. Innovations to the process included centralizing institutional review board oversight within Botswana, implementing joint virtual meetings among review bodies, enhancing digital infrastructure, and streamlining research staffing and communication.

conclusionBy providing practical strategies, this study highlights how empowered local leadership, centralized review processes, joint review mechanisms, and intentional capacity building can overcome logistical barriers in multinational ethical review.

Indexed as

Biomedical ResearchBotswanaCooperative BehaviorDeveloped CountriesDeveloping CountriesFemaleHumansInternational CooperationResource-Limited Settings

Identifiers

PMID41576316
PMCPMC12848930

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.