The power of partnership: Exploring collaboration dynamics in U.S. transplant research

Isabella Faria; Adriana Montalvan; Stalin Canizares; Paulo N Martins; Griffin M Weber; Marwan Kazimi; Devin Eckhoff

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.10.008

The power of partnership: Exploring collaboration dynamics in U.S. transplant research

Am J Surg. 2024 Jan:227:24-33. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.10.008. Epub 2023 Oct 10.

Authors

Isabella Faria¹, Adriana Montalvan², Stalin Canizares², Paulo N Martins³, Griffin M Weber⁴, Marwan Kazimi², Devin Eckhoff²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: imdefrei@utmb.edu.
² Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
³ Division of Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, USA.
⁴ Division of Interdisciplinary Medicine and Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

PMID: 37852844
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.10.008

Abstract

Introduction: Collaboration is one of the hallmarks of academic research. This study analyzes collaboration patterns in U.S. transplant research, examining publication trends, productive institutions, co-authorship networks, and citation patterns in high-impact transplant journals.

Methods: 4,265 articles published between 2012 and 2021 were analyzed using scientometric tools, logistic regression, VantagePoint software, and Gephi software for network visualization.

Results: 16,003 authors from 1,011 institutions and 59 countries were identified, with Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and University of Pennsylvania contributing the most papers. Odds of international collaboration significantly increased over time (OR 1.03; p = 0.040), while odds of citation in single-institution collaborations decreased (OR 0.99; p = 0.016). Five major scientific communities and central institutions (Harvard University and University of Pittsburgh) connecting them were identified, revealing interconnected research clusters.

Conclusions: Collaboration enhances knowledge exchange and research productivity, with an increasing trend of institutional and international collaboration in U.S. transplant research. Understanding this community is essential for promoting research impact and forming strategic partnerships.

Keywords: Citations; Co-authorship; Collaboration; Social network analysis; Transplantation.

MeSH terms

Authorship
Bibliometrics*
Humans
Organ Transplantation*