Global Surgery Research: An Overview and the Role of Medical Students and Surgical Trainees in Advancing Global Surgery Research in LMICs

Global surgery research is a critical area of study aimed at enhancing access to safe and effective surgical care for patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is essential to explore the significance of global surgery research and highlight the potential contributions of medical students and surgical trainees in addressing the pressing needs of LMIC populations. Global surgery research is pivotal in driving progress and fostering innovation by evaluating surgical disease burden, identifying access barriers, developing sustainable solutions, and strengthening health systems. Additionally, integrating sustainability principles into global surgery research endeavors ensures surgical interventions benefit patients while minimizing the environmental impact of surgical care delivery. Medical students and surgical trainees can engage in global surgery research, including collaborating with experienced researchers, developing research projects with local partners, conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating research findings. Despite challenges faced in conducting research in LMIC, such as limited resources and sociopolitical instability, opportunities exist to nurture the interest of medical students and surgical trainees in global surgery research. By actively participating in global surgery research, medical students and surgical trainees can contribute to improving healthcare outcomes in LMICs while honing invaluable research skills for their future careers.
Global surgery research is a critical area of study aimed at enhancing access to safe and effective surgical care for patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is essential to explore the significance of global surgery research and highlight the potential contributions of medical students and surgical trainees in addressing the pressing needs of LMIC populations. Global surgery research is pivotal in driving progress and fostering innovation by evaluating surgical disease burden, identifying access barriers, developing sustainable solutions, and strengthening health systems. Additionally, integrating sustainability principles into global surgery research endeavors ensures surgical interventions benefit patients while minimizing the environmental impact of surgical care delivery. Medical students and surgical trainees can engage in global surgery research, including collaborating with experienced researchers, developing research projects with local partners, conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating research findings. Despite challenges faced in conducting research in LMIC, such as limited resources and sociopolitical instability, opportunities exist to nurture the interest of medical students and surgical trainees in global surgery research. By actively participating in global surgery research, medical students and surgical trainees can contribute to improving healthcare outcomes in LMICs while honing invaluable research skills for their future careers.
Global surgery research is a critical area of study aimed at enhancing access to safe and effective surgical care for patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is essential to explore the significance of global surgery research and highlight the potential contributions of medical students and surgical trainees in addressing the pressing needs of LMIC populations. Global surgery research is pivotal in driving progress and fostering innovation by evaluating surgical disease burden, identifying access barriers, developing sustainable solutions, and strengthening health systems. Additionally, integrating sustainability principles into global surgery research endeavors ensures surgical interventions benefit patients while minimizing the environmental impact of surgical care delivery. Medical students and surgical trainees can engage in global surgery research, including collaborating with experienced researchers, developing research projects with local partners, conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating research findings. Despite challenges faced in conducting research in LMIC, such as limited resources and sociopolitical instability, opportunities exist to nurture the interest of medical students and surgical trainees in global surgery research. By actively participating in global surgery research, medical students and surgical trainees can contribute to improving healthcare outcomes in LMICs while honing invaluable research skills for their future careers.


Global Surgery Research: An Overview and the Role of Medical Students and Surgical Trainees in Advancing Global Surgery Research in LMICs
Yvan Zolo. 1

Letter to the Editor The Importance of Global Surgery Research
Global surgery research systematically investigates various facets of surgical care delivery, access, outcomes, and innovative solutions specifically tailored to low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and disaster areas.Its scope involves in-depth examinations of the burden of surgical diseases, identification of barriers impeding access to care, development of sustainable strategies, evaluation of health systems, and promotion of equitable and effective surgical interventions. 1 By addressing the substantial burden of surgical diseases borne by LMICs, despite their limited healthcare workforce and infrastructural capacities, global surgery research plays a pivotal role in enhancing surgical care and outcomes in these regions. 2,3It achieves this by identifying key challenges, proposing innovative solutions, evaluating intervention effectiveness, addressing region-specific hurdles, and advancing global health equity. 4Given the unfortunate negative impact of surgical care on the environment, sustainability is at the core of global surgery research.Sustainable surgical care ensures that interventions benefit patients, minimize negative environmental impacts, and support long-term viability. 5Medical students and surgical trainees can significantly contribute to global surgery research, helping address the pressing needs of LMIC populations, 6,7 hence, it is imperative to provide an overview of global surgery research and explore the avenues through which medical students and surgical trainees can make meaningful contributions to this critical field.

Research Priorities in Global Surgery
Global surgery research is pivotal in driving progress and fostering innovation in healthcare, particularly within LMICs. 4 Research priorities form the foundational pillars upon which transformative advancements are built, paving the way for surgical care improvements and equitable health outcomes.Core areas of inquiry help generate evidence-based insights and strategic interventions that address the unique challenges LMICs face in global surgery.Some key research priorities in global surgery include the following: • Assessing surgical disease burden in LMICs, including incidence, prevalence, and environmental impact of surgical care.

Medical Students and Surgical Trainees Can Contribute to Global Surgery Research
Medical students and surgical trainees in LMICs can make valuable contributions to global surgery research, despite being early in their careers.Some ways in which they can get involved include: 1.

Participating in research projects led by experienced researchers in global surgery
Collaborating with seasoned researchers allows students to gain hands-on experience and contribute to ongoing studies in the field.Medical students and trainees can seek opportunities to collaborate with established researchers who are already leading projects in the field of global surgery.Seasoned researchers could benefit from involving medical students in research by gaining fresh perspectives, increasing productivity through task delegation, facilitating knowledge transfer and mentorship opportunities, and expanding their professional network.

Collecting and analyzing data in LMICs, for example, by conducting surveys or interviews with patients and healthcare providers
Students can engage in primary data collection by conducting surveys or interviews with patients and healthcare providers, helping to generate new insights and evidence.Once the data is collected, students can assist with data analysis, interpretation, and drawing meaningful conclusions.

Disseminating research findings through academic publications, conference presentations, and social media
Sharing research outcomes through academic publications, conference presentations, and social media platforms raises awareness, promotes collaboration, and contributes to the broader global surgery community.

Challenges and Opportunities
Global surgery research in LMICs face several challenges, including limited human, infrastructural and financial resources, sociopolitical instability, language and cultural barriers, and inadequate political engagement.Medical students and surgical trainees must be mindful of these challenges and work collaboratively with local partners to overcome them and mitigate their impact.

Conclusion
Global surgery research is an important area of study that aims to improve access to safe and effective surgical care for patients in LMICs.Medical students and surgical trainees can contribute by participating in research projects, collaborating with local partners, conducting literature reviews, collecting data, and disseminating findings.Despite challenges, there are opportunities to make a positive impact and develop valuable skills.Their involvement is essential for addressing healthcare disparities and promoting sustainable and equitable access to surgical care.
• Identifying barriers to accessing surgical care: financial, geographic, and cultural factors.
• Developing sustainable solutions to overcome barriers to accessible surgical care.• Strengthening health systems and improving surgical care delivery in LMICs with sustainable practices.• Evaluating the impact of surgical education and training programs in LMICs, enhancing sustainability education.• Developing low-cost, high-impact surgical innovations aligned with sustainability for LMICs.
8hese interest groups serve as platforms for medical students and surgical trainees in LMICs to cultivate their interest in global surgery research and foster the development of indispensable skills and experiences essential for their future careers and contributions to the field of global surgery.Additionally, numerous institutions within LMICs and the African continent offer research fellowships specifically dedicated to global surgery.8Byengaging in these research fellowships, medical students and surgical trainees can actively participate in hands-on global surgery projects, while simultaneously expanding their knowledge and expertise in the realm of global surgery research.