How To Start And Maintain A Global Neurosurgical Research Network; The Story Of The Global Neurosurgery Research Collaborative

Abstract

Background: The Global Neurosurg research collaborative (GNC) was established in May 2018 at the Neurosurgery Department of Oregon Health and Science University with the aim of investigating the unmet global neurosurgical needs. Methods: The model is based on a three-tier collaboration approach: the steering committee, national and regional leads, and the data collection teams. We started by identifying supportive senior neurosurgeons to formulate the steering committee. The steering committee met to prioritize the most important areas of surgical care in LMICs to be evaluated. Based on the literature search and expert consensus, we choose the following conditions: (1) Traumatic Brain Injury, (2) Stroke, (3) Hydrocephalus, (4) Brain Cancer Surgery, and (5) Epilepsy surgery. These conditions represent the most needed forms of neurosurgical care in LMICs. Then, a proposal was submitted to the host institution to sponsor the use of the RedCap system for the purpose of the GNC network. The protocol of the first study was distributed. We used professional networks, neurosurgical organizations, social media like Twitter and Facebook, and personal communications to recruit neurosurgeons. In LMICs, students and trainees played an important role in spreading the network. Local teams applied for institutional review board/ethical approval for the first TBI study. Results: Till the moment, the GNC network includes 2000 collaborators from 80 countries around the world. The GNS-1 study is about to conclude with +2000 TBI patients’ data collected from all over the world. Conclusion: The GNC network presents a new model for global neurosurgical research in addressing the unmet neurosurgical needs in LMICs. Current and future studies of the GNC network will contribute to improving neurosurgical care by identifying the best practices associated with better outcomes as well as the risk factors of mortality, morbidity, and bad outcomes – this information will guide future development in LMICs.