Characterization of international partnerships in global retinoblastoma care and research: A network analysis

Global cooperation is an integral component of global health research and practice. One Retinoblastoma World (1RBW) is a cooperative network of global treatment centers that care for children affected by retinoblastoma. The study aimed to determine the number, scope and nature of collaborations with...

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Main Authors: Hannah Girdler, Kaitlyn Flegg, John Prochaska, Helen Dimaras
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2021-01-01
Series:PLOS Global Public Health
Online Access:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10021644/?tool=EBI
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author Hannah Girdler
Kaitlyn Flegg
John Prochaska
Helen Dimaras
author_facet Hannah Girdler
Kaitlyn Flegg
John Prochaska
Helen Dimaras
author_sort Hannah Girdler
collection DOAJ
description Global cooperation is an integral component of global health research and practice. One Retinoblastoma World (1RBW) is a cooperative network of global treatment centers that care for children affected by retinoblastoma. The study aimed to determine the number, scope and nature of collaborations within 1RBW, and uncover how they are perceived to contribute towards improving retinoblastoma outcomes. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods egocentric network analysis was conducted. Treatment centers (n = 170) were invited to complete an electronic survey to identify collaborative activities between their institution (ego), and respective partners (alters). Network maps were generated to visualize connectivity. Key informants (n = 18) participated in semi-structured interviews to add details about the reported collaborations. Interviews were analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Surveys were completed by 56/170 (33%) of 1RBW treatment centers. Collectively, they identified 112 unique alters (80 treatment centers; 32 other organizations) for a total network size of 168 nodes. Most collaborations involved patient referrals, consultations and twinning/capacity building. Interviews identified four main themes: conceptualization of partnership; primary motivation for collaborations; common challenges to collaboration; and benefits to partnership. There is extensive global collaboration to reduce global retinoblastoma mortality, but there is room to expand connectivity through active efforts to include actors located at network peripheries.
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spelling doaj.art-dd1e6d7a7b374da5b3ee792b28f39a152023-09-03T10:35:54ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLOS Global Public Health2767-33752021-01-01112Characterization of international partnerships in global retinoblastoma care and research: A network analysisHannah GirdlerKaitlyn FleggJohn ProchaskaHelen DimarasGlobal cooperation is an integral component of global health research and practice. One Retinoblastoma World (1RBW) is a cooperative network of global treatment centers that care for children affected by retinoblastoma. The study aimed to determine the number, scope and nature of collaborations within 1RBW, and uncover how they are perceived to contribute towards improving retinoblastoma outcomes. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods egocentric network analysis was conducted. Treatment centers (n = 170) were invited to complete an electronic survey to identify collaborative activities between their institution (ego), and respective partners (alters). Network maps were generated to visualize connectivity. Key informants (n = 18) participated in semi-structured interviews to add details about the reported collaborations. Interviews were analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Surveys were completed by 56/170 (33%) of 1RBW treatment centers. Collectively, they identified 112 unique alters (80 treatment centers; 32 other organizations) for a total network size of 168 nodes. Most collaborations involved patient referrals, consultations and twinning/capacity building. Interviews identified four main themes: conceptualization of partnership; primary motivation for collaborations; common challenges to collaboration; and benefits to partnership. There is extensive global collaboration to reduce global retinoblastoma mortality, but there is room to expand connectivity through active efforts to include actors located at network peripheries.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10021644/?tool=EBI
spellingShingle Hannah Girdler
Kaitlyn Flegg
John Prochaska
Helen Dimaras
Characterization of international partnerships in global retinoblastoma care and research: A network analysis
PLOS Global Public Health
title Characterization of international partnerships in global retinoblastoma care and research: A network analysis
title_full Characterization of international partnerships in global retinoblastoma care and research: A network analysis
title_fullStr Characterization of international partnerships in global retinoblastoma care and research: A network analysis
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of international partnerships in global retinoblastoma care and research: A network analysis
title_short Characterization of international partnerships in global retinoblastoma care and research: A network analysis
title_sort characterization of international partnerships in global retinoblastoma care and research a network analysis
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10021644/?tool=EBI
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