Early neurosurgical research training in low-resource settings: a proposed competency-based framework from interest to first manuscript - 15/09/26

Doi : 10.1016/j.neuchi.2026.101878

Fritz Fidel Váscones-Román ^a,^b,^c,^d,^e,⁎ , Samanta Janet Fuentes-Garcia ^c,^d, Jack Váscones-Román ^d,^e,^f, Demy Váscones-Román ^d,^e,^g, Andy Sebastian Váscones-Aldazabal ^d,^e,^h, Niels Pacheco-Barrios ^e,ⁱ, Kevin Pacheco-Barrios ^j,^k

^a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States of America

^b Centro Básico de Investigación en Neurocirugía Endovascular, Neurocirugía Vascular y Base de Cráneo, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru

^c Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru

^d Váscones’s Lab, Lima, Peru

^e Astrocyte, Neurosurgical Research Group, Boston, MA, United States of America

^f Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cusco, Cusco, Peru

^g Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Andina del Cusco, Cusco, Peru

^h Faculty of Medicine, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru

ⁱ Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America

^j Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America

^k Unidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru

^⁎ Corresponding author.

Highlights

•	Early neurosurgical research training remains poorly structured in many settings.
•	A competency-based pathway can guide trainees from idea to manuscript.
•	Seven practical deliverables structure the first research project.
•	Layered mentorship may reduce dependence on a single senior mentor.
•	Transparent authorship and reporting standards support equitable collaboration.

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Abstract

Background

Early participation in neurosurgical research can help medical students and young physicians develop methodological literacy, scientific writing skills, critical appraisal, and long-term academic engagement. However, in many low-resource settings, entry into neurosurgical research remains informal, mentor-dependent, and poorly structured.

Objective

To propose a practical, competency-based framework for early neurosurgical research training, guiding beginners from initial interest to a first manuscript.

Methods

We developed a narrative, literature-informed framework drawing on global neurosurgery, medical education, mentorship, research capacity building, authorship transparency, and reporting guidelines. The model was organized around sequential competencies, tangible deliverables, and mentor checkpoints. It was not developed through a systematic review, formal consensus process, or curriculum validation study.

Results

The proposed framework comprises a staged pathway built around seven core deliverables: a structured research question, one-page concept note, protocol, ethics and data protection plan, data collection or search tool, analysis plan, and guideline-based manuscript draft. It also describes beginner-appropriate study designs, layered mentorship roles, authorship transparency practices, and candidate indicators for future evaluation in low-resource settings.

Conclusion

This proposed pathway offers a testable organizational approach for early neurosurgical research training. Its effects on trainee competencies, project completion, authorship equity, and institutional research capacity remain hypothetical and require prospective evaluation.

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Keywords : Neurosurgery, Research training, Medical students, Mentorship, Global neurosurgery, Low-Resource settings, Scientific writing, Research capacity building