Barriers to Research Faced by High‐Income Versus Low‐ and Middle‐Income Country Otolaryngologists and Otolaryngology Residents

Abstract Objective This study aims to compare research productivity and barriers to research between high‐income countries (HICs) and low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) otolaryngologists. Study Design Cross‐sectional survey. Setting International survey. Methods A survey developed by members o...

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Main Authors: Nader G. Zalaquett, Mohamad Al Mir, Rita Maria Jalkh, Sarah Nuss, Akansha Pandey, Rolvix H. Patterson, Jad Hosri, Randa Al Barazi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:OTO Open
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.70073
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author Nader G. Zalaquett
Mohamad Al Mir
Rita Maria Jalkh
Sarah Nuss
Akansha Pandey
Rolvix H. Patterson
Jad Hosri
Randa Al Barazi
author_facet Nader G. Zalaquett
Mohamad Al Mir
Rita Maria Jalkh
Sarah Nuss
Akansha Pandey
Rolvix H. Patterson
Jad Hosri
Randa Al Barazi
author_sort Nader G. Zalaquett
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective This study aims to compare research productivity and barriers to research between high‐income countries (HICs) and low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) otolaryngologists. Study Design Cross‐sectional survey. Setting International survey. Methods A survey developed by members of the Lebanese Otolaryngology Research and Awareness Group was disseminated globally to otolaryngologists and otolaryngology residents. The survey assessed research efficiency, funding, and perceived barriers. Data were analyzed using t tests and χ2 tests. Results A total of 82 responses from 21 countries were recorded, with 33 from HICs (40.2%) and 49 from LMICs (59.8%). LMIC respondents reported significantly less research funding (84.4% vs 60.6%, P = .013) and fewer publications (24.4% vs 3.1%, P = .001) compared to HIC respondents. LMICs faced unique individual barriers like elderly care responsibilities (17.8% vs 0%, P = .035). Organizational challenges in LMICs included limited access to information sources (35.7% vs 15.6%, P = .017) and financial resources (85.7% vs 40.6%, P < .001). Institutional challenges such as lack of funding (83.3% vs 34.4%, P < .001) and protected research time (71.4% vs 56.3%, P = .047) were more prominent in LMICs. Governmental barriers were also greater in LMICs, including demotivating government policies (59.0% vs 9.4%, P < .001). Additionally, covering article processing charges was a significant challenge for 76.2% of LMIC respondents compared to 31.3% in HICs (P = .001). Conclusion Otolaryngologists in LMICs encounter substantial barriers to research productivity compared to those in HICs, primarily due to funding gaps, lack of institutional support, and unfavorable governmental policies. Addressing these disparities is essential for fostering equitable global research contributions.
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spelling doaj-art-c864bc04770b43f68cfedc834f7288e72025-08-20T02:48:41ZengWileyOTO Open2473-974X2025-01-0191n/an/a10.1002/oto2.70073Barriers to Research Faced by High‐Income Versus Low‐ and Middle‐Income Country Otolaryngologists and Otolaryngology ResidentsNader G. Zalaquett0Mohamad Al Mir1Rita Maria Jalkh2Sarah Nuss3Akansha Pandey4Rolvix H. Patterson5Jad Hosri6Randa Al Barazi7Lebanese Otolaryngology Research and Awareness Group (LORAG) Beirut LebanonLebanese Otolaryngology Research and Awareness Group (LORAG) Beirut LebanonLebanese Otolaryngology Research and Awareness Group (LORAG) Beirut LebanonGlobal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Initiative Durham North Carolina USAGlobal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Initiative Durham North Carolina USAGlobal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Initiative Durham North Carolina USALebanese Otolaryngology Research and Awareness Group (LORAG) Beirut LebanonLebanese Otolaryngology Research and Awareness Group (LORAG) Beirut LebanonAbstract Objective This study aims to compare research productivity and barriers to research between high‐income countries (HICs) and low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) otolaryngologists. Study Design Cross‐sectional survey. Setting International survey. Methods A survey developed by members of the Lebanese Otolaryngology Research and Awareness Group was disseminated globally to otolaryngologists and otolaryngology residents. The survey assessed research efficiency, funding, and perceived barriers. Data were analyzed using t tests and χ2 tests. Results A total of 82 responses from 21 countries were recorded, with 33 from HICs (40.2%) and 49 from LMICs (59.8%). LMIC respondents reported significantly less research funding (84.4% vs 60.6%, P = .013) and fewer publications (24.4% vs 3.1%, P = .001) compared to HIC respondents. LMICs faced unique individual barriers like elderly care responsibilities (17.8% vs 0%, P = .035). Organizational challenges in LMICs included limited access to information sources (35.7% vs 15.6%, P = .017) and financial resources (85.7% vs 40.6%, P < .001). Institutional challenges such as lack of funding (83.3% vs 34.4%, P < .001) and protected research time (71.4% vs 56.3%, P = .047) were more prominent in LMICs. Governmental barriers were also greater in LMICs, including demotivating government policies (59.0% vs 9.4%, P < .001). Additionally, covering article processing charges was a significant challenge for 76.2% of LMIC respondents compared to 31.3% in HICs (P = .001). Conclusion Otolaryngologists in LMICs encounter substantial barriers to research productivity compared to those in HICs, primarily due to funding gaps, lack of institutional support, and unfavorable governmental policies. Addressing these disparities is essential for fostering equitable global research contributions.https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.70073fundingLMICslow‐income countriespublicationsresearch barriers
spellingShingle Nader G. Zalaquett
Mohamad Al Mir
Rita Maria Jalkh
Sarah Nuss
Akansha Pandey
Rolvix H. Patterson
Jad Hosri
Randa Al Barazi
Barriers to Research Faced by High‐Income Versus Low‐ and Middle‐Income Country Otolaryngologists and Otolaryngology Residents
OTO Open
funding
LMICs
low‐income countries
publications
research barriers
title Barriers to Research Faced by High‐Income Versus Low‐ and Middle‐Income Country Otolaryngologists and Otolaryngology Residents
title_full Barriers to Research Faced by High‐Income Versus Low‐ and Middle‐Income Country Otolaryngologists and Otolaryngology Residents
title_fullStr Barriers to Research Faced by High‐Income Versus Low‐ and Middle‐Income Country Otolaryngologists and Otolaryngology Residents
title_full_unstemmed Barriers to Research Faced by High‐Income Versus Low‐ and Middle‐Income Country Otolaryngologists and Otolaryngology Residents
title_short Barriers to Research Faced by High‐Income Versus Low‐ and Middle‐Income Country Otolaryngologists and Otolaryngology Residents
title_sort barriers to research faced by high income versus low and middle income country otolaryngologists and otolaryngology residents
topic funding
LMICs
low‐income countries
publications
research barriers
url https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.70073
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