Scholarly Activity of Radiation Oncologists in High-Income Developing Countries: Saudi Arabia as an Example

Abstract

PURPOSE To examine the trends and quality metrics of publications by radiation oncologists in Saudi Arabia. METHODS PubMed was searched using names of all Saudi radiation oncologists to retrieve published articles between January 2010 and December 2019. International collaboration, journal impact factor and country of origin, and number of citations were collected. Each article was assessed for epidemiologic type and independently assigned a level of evidence (LOE) by two authors. The trend in publications was examined and compared in the first and second 5-year periods (2010-2014 and 2015-2019) using relevant parameters. RESULTS A total of 186 publications were found and included. The most common type of research was cohort studies followed by case reports and case series in 24%, 14%, and 13% of all publications, respectively. Dosimetry, clinical, and preclinical studies formed 7%, 8.6%, and 7.5% of the total publications, respectively. The LOE was I, II, III, IV, and not applicable in 8.6%, 22%, 25.8%, 29%, and 14.5% of the included publications, respectively. Comparing the first and second 5-year periods, there was an increase in international collaboration ( P < .001) in the second period. The number of citations ( P < .001) and journal impact factor ( P = .028) were lower in the second period. LOE and publications in international journals were not statistically different between the two periods. CONCLUSION Although radiation oncology research activity in Saudi Arabia has gained momentum in terms of volume and international collaboration over time, the LOE has not improved. This calls for a national effort to make the contribution to the literature a priority, allocate adequate resources, and apply appropriate measures to enhance research productivity and quality.

Cancer Research Challenges and Potential Solutions in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Discussion Group Study

“…Previous studies from the region have shown that cancer research outputs from SA are still relatively lower than those from other Middle Eastern countries. 6 , 7 These challenges are more pronounced in translational research and clinical trials, a major area of research in developed countries. 6 , 7 Besides, some challenges identified in our study have also been documented in some Middle Eastern and European countries.…”

“… 6 , 7 These challenges are more pronounced in translational research and clinical trials, a major area of research in developed countries. 6 , 7 Besides, some challenges identified in our study have also been documented in some Middle Eastern and European countries. 15 , 16 For example, the Lancet Oncology European Groundshot Commission on Cancer Research has recently identified many key recommendations to reimagine cancer research to deliver affordable, high-quality, better cancer care in Europe.…”

“…3 Although cancer research in SA has progressed in the past three decades, research outputs from SA are still relatively lower than those from other Middle Eastern countries. 6 , 7 …”

“…6,7 Previous research in other contexts has identified challenges that researchers might face in cancer research settings, including the lack of funds, training, research regulations, cancer registration data, clinical studies infrastructure, or laboratory materials. 3,6,8 To our knowledge, cancer research challenges in SA have not been formally evaluated. It is important to understand the challenges that may exist during the ongoing reform and the establishment of new national funding agencies, such as the Saudi National Institute of Health (SNIH) 9 and the Research Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA), 10 that aim to support research and innovation in SA.…”

Radiation Therapy in Arab World

“…Radiation Oncology research activity in Saudi Arabia has gained momentum in terms of volume and international collaboration over the period from 2010 to 2019; however, the resulting level of evidence has not improved over time, which calls for an effort to contribute to the literature as a priority, allocate adequate resources, and apply appropriate measures to enhance research productivity and quality [3].…”