Digital web-based research map by the German Society of Vascular Surgery (DGG): a tool to increase visibility and awareness of science in vascular surgery and vascular medicine in Germany

Abstract

Abstract Background The German Society for Vascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gefäßchirurgie und Gefäßmedizin, DGG) represents over 3100 members. In addition to continuing education and professional policy positioning, an important area is the promotion of research and science as well as their visibility. The DGG has set up an online-based platform on its official homepage with the primary goal of providing site-specific information on research content, equipment, and contact information of university centers for vascular surgery. With the introduction of this digital research map, the DGG has created a project that is innovative in the German-speaking environment. Initiation and implementation In 2022, the DGG Board of Directors established the prerequisite with the necessary funding decision and commissioned the DGG Research Commission to implement the content. The commission determined which parameters should be shown on the map and surveyed them by means of standardized questionnaires at the research institutions in vascular surgery in Germany. The commission prepared the feedback for the digital presentation, web editors and web developers programmed the website including search functions, and the DGG head office entered the data. At the outset, 18 locations were mapped. The map is intended to grow to enable more research centers to submit their data. Discussion The digital research map is the result of a dedicated collaboration between, among others, the research commission, the management, the service providers, and the board of the DGG. The aim was to create a user-friendly platform where information on the various research groups can be accessed quickly and easily. A research map is an important digitally accessible statement that underscores the self-concept of the specialty of vascular surgery with its claim to innovation and academic basis. Visibility of research activity is a relevant element of highly specialized vascular medicine. The need for digital representation of research structures in academic medicine is confirmed by comparable efforts of other scientific institutions such as the German Society for Surgery (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie, DGCH) (1) and the German Rectors’ Conference (Hochschul- Rektorenkonferenz, HRK) (2) The research map of the DGG differs from the above-mentioned projects by highlighting the translational aspect. Scientific research groups are not presented as such, but rather the overall constellation of the clinical or academic university institution. Conclusion The DGG digital research map represents a pioneering initiative to strengthen collaboration and information exchange in vascular research by providing a comprehensive overview of working groups, research topics, and equipment. The outlook for the future is promising, as the digital research map will be continuously expanded and updated to meet the needs of researchers. Likewise, it provides visibility of the research accomplishments of the vascular surgery community to students, researchers from other disciplines, journalists, industry, and interested parties from abroad.