The Role of Registries in Neurotrauma Research: Translating Data Into Health Policy That Enhances Patient Care; Comment on “Neurotrauma Surveillance in National Registries of Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review and Comparative Analysis of Data Dictionaries”

Document Type : Commentary

Authors

1 Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

2 Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

3 Division of Neurosurgery, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines

4 Department of Neurosurgery, ASST Ospedale Maggiore Niguarda, Milano, Italy

Abstract

The paucity of robust neurotrauma data is felt most in regions that experience a higher burden of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The scoping review done by Barthélemy et al provides insight into the current state of national registries in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) while also exploring the tools required to standardize data collection. In this commentary, we reflect on the barriers to data collection (ie, creation and maintenance of a TBI registry) and explore how registries can aid both scientific output and preventative public awareness campaigns that may pave the way to improved health policy and social change that avert mortality and morbidity from TBI.

Keywords


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  • Receive Date: 08 July 2022
  • Revise Date: 17 January 2023
  • Accept Date: 18 January 2023
  • First Publish Date: 21 January 2023