In Reply: Operationalizing Global Neurosurgery Research in Neurosurgical Journals.

Abstract

To the Editor: We would like to thank Rahman et al1 for their thoughtful review and discussion of our article “Letter: Operationalizing Global Neurosurgery Research in Neurosurgical Journals.”2 As the authors described, increasing global neurosurgical capacity will undoubtedly require contributions from members of low-income and middle-income countries, yet numerous barriers stand in the way of entry to neurological surgery for trainees aspiring to a career in global neurosurgery. These obstacles include, but are not limited to, underfunding; paywalls; limited access to scientific literature in virtual form et/ou in physical copy; lackluster representation of research members from low-income and middle-income countries in landmark publications; and limited invitations to regional, continental, and international speaking engagements. The authors raise important points, and we believe a multipronged approach would accelerate desired outcomes for at-risk communities. Therefore, in addition to these proposed recommendations, we believe efforts, as previously described,3,4 to further recruit from an untapped talent pool and increase capacity can be similarly used to equilibrate the current makeup of active neurotrauma groups globally. Importantly, diversity of thought and opinion can be supplemented by guidance and mentorship from established groups because the charge toward reducing the global burden of trauma to the nervous system and its coverings will also require a coordinated effort. Within organized neurosurgery, this effort could provide ongoing partnership facilitated by critical insight from established and trusted representatives of neurological surgery, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Residency Review Committee for Neurological Surgery, the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation, the Society of Neurological Surgeons, the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, and many others at the forefront. We express our gratitude once again to Rahman and colleagues1 for providing valuable fuel to the vehicle of global neurosurgery and invite neurotrauma groups around the world to comment on their vision for advancing the mission of global neurosurgery together with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.