Bridging the Gap: The State of Global Transplant Research Collaboration

The field of transplant research has long been recognized for its innovative approaches and international collaborations. This study aims to dissect the landscape of global collaborations within transplant research during a past decade.

Through a comprehensive bibliometric and network analysis of 5 high-impact factor transplantation journals from 2012 to 2021, we evaluated scientific production and collaboration patterns in 9 250 articles. International, national, and single-institution collaboration types were analyzed, using coauthorship as a measure of scientific collaboration.

The data set revealed 40 622 authors from 2 094 institutions across 94 countries, with a marked increase in international collaborations during the past decade. The United States and Western European countries emerged as central nodes in the global network, facilitating the majority of collaborative efforts. Only 2.2% of potential institutional collaborations were explored during the decade. We found a lower chance of citations for single-institution research over time. Low- and middle-income countries were underrepresented in high-impact transplant research.

The findings underscore the necessity of fostering inclusive, equitable research collaborations that bridge the gap between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries, limiting their contributions to advancing global patient care. Practical recommendations for enhancing global collaboration in transplant research include facilitating academic exchanges, equitable collaboration practices, and increased funding opportunities. This study calls for a strategic shift toward a more inclusive and integrated global research landscape, aiming to advance transplant research and patient care universally. Addressing these disparities could lead to a more integrated global research landscape, benefiting transplant research and patient care universally.