Medical Research Disparities in Latin America

Abstract

Clinical research is an essential aspect of advancing medical knowledge, improving patient outcomes, and reducing the burden of diseases. However, there are significant discrepancies in access to high-quality research worldwide, particularly in Latin American countries. Despite being crucial for evidence of efficacy in clinical research, randomized controlled trials are relatively scarce in Latin America compared with developed countries like the United States. This article explores the challenges and limitations that Latin American researchers face when conducting health-related clinical trials, including lack of economic resources, political instability, language barriers, and scarcity of indexed journals. Moreover, this article sheds light on the challenges in the fields of diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology in Latin America, such as limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, low awareness of the importance of imaging for accurate diagnoses and treatment, lack of specialized training programs, few opportunities for research, and insufficient funding. Addressing these challenges is crucial for Latin American researchers to produce high-quality clinical research and contribute to global medical knowledge, ultimately improving health outcomes and quality of life for people worldwide.

Keywords

clinical research - medical research - Latin America - interventional radiology - challenges and limitations

Ethics Approval

This study did not require institutional review board approval; the research satisfied all requirements under 45 Code of Federal Regulations 164.512.

Consent for Publication

Not applicable.

Availability of Data and Materials

Not applicable.

Competing Interests

The authors have no relevant financial or nonfinancial interests to disclose.

Preprint Publication

Not applicable.

Publication History

Received: 27 May 2023

Accepted: 27 July 2023

Article published online:
23 October 2023

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