Mapping Global Neurosurgery Research Collaboratives: A Social Network Analysis of the 50 Most Cited Global Neurosurgery Articles

Abstract

Social network analysis of bibliometric data evaluates the relationships between the articles, authors, and themes of a research niche. The network can be visualized as maps composed of nodes and links. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the relationships between articles, authors, and keywords in global neurosurgery. The authors searched global neurosurgery articles on the Web of Science database from inception to June 18, 2020. The 50 most cited articles were selected and their metadata (document coupling, co-authorship, and co-occurrence) was exported. The metadata were analyzed and visualized with VOSViewer (Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands). The articles were published between 1995 and 2020 and they had a median of 4.0 (interquartile range [IQR] = 5.0) citations. There were 5 clusters in the document coupling and 10 clusters in the co-authorship analysis. A total of 229 authors contributed to the articles and Kee B. Park contributed the most to articles (14 publications). Backward citation analysis was organized into 4 clusters and co-occurrence analysis into 7 clusters. The most common themes were pediatric neurosurgery, neurotrauma, and health system strengthening. The authors identified trends, contributors, and themes of highly cited global neurosurgery research. These findings can help establish collaborations and set the agenda in global neurosurgery research.

Global head and neck surgery research during the COVID pandemic: A bibliometric analysis

“…The WFNS created an ad-hoc committee composed of global neurosurgery stakeholders. The committee and other global neurosurgery actors have created a global neurosurgery journal, organized sessions at major neurosurgery conferences, sponsor training in LMICs, and policymaking at the World Health Organization [ [25] , [26] , [27] ]. In addition, these efforts have led to an exponential increase in PubMed indexed global neurosurgery research [ 28 ].…”

The Role of Medical Students in Global Pediatric Neurosurgery

“…-Read key manuscripts. These provide an overview of global neurosurgery, 2,3,[25][26][27][28][29][30] introduce global neurosurgery to medical students, 17 focus on global pediatric neurosurgical capacity and initiatives, 1, 6, 7 describe advocacy 10,31,32 and education 33,34 in the field, characterize important organizations, 23,24,[35][36][37][38][39] summarize existing collaborations, 40 and describe implementation of global neurosurgery research in practice. 41 Below are important manuscripts specific to global pediatric neurosurgery.…”

Educating the Next Generation of Global Neurosurgeons: Competencies, Skills, and Resources for Medical Students Interested in Global Neurosurgery

“…Research remains a core element of global neurosurgery given the importance of assessing and implementing evidence-based strategies to address the global burden of neurosurgical disease and subsequently reduce inequities in neurosurgical care. [24][25][26] Resources that may assist in learning how to conduct research are displayed Table 1. The first step in the research process is development of the research question.…”

“…44,64 Advocacy is essential in expanding access to and improving neurosurgical care, as well as prevention efforts. 26 A working knowledge of contemporary advocacy paradigms is necessary for medical students. Advocacy occurs on multiple levels: national, regional, and local governments; international agencies; non-governmental organization; local physicians; and other healthcare personnel.…”