key: cord-0832764-qwv4hrkl authors: Ong, Zun Zheng; Henein, Christin; Swampillai, Andrew J.; Maubon, Laura; Bourne, Rupert R. A.; Ting, Darren S. J. title: Trainee research network (TRN): a potential global model for promoting research training and outputs among trainees date: 2022-04-14 journal: Eye (Lond) DOI: 10.1038/s41433-022-02060-z sha: baefe53bbc890178c79d148b44979d122ae1cc9d doc_id: 832764 cord_uid: qwv4hrkl nan We read with interest the paper published by Zamorano-Martin et al. [1] , and we are in complete agreement on the importance and need for research training during ophthalmology traineeship. Several studies have shown that healthcare organisations engaged with more clinical research activities have better patient outcomes [2, 3] . The ability to critically appraise published literature serves as an essential skill for practicing evidencebased medicine, which can be acquired through research training, for example the free online Cochrane Eyes and Vision course [4] . That said, participation in research among ophthalmology trainees is desirable yet not mandatory during ophthalmic specialist training in the United Kingdom (UK) and many other countries. Lack of time, insufficient research skills and lack of mentor support are the most common impediments to research participation among trainees across different specialties and grades [5, 6] . To address this, the Ophthalmology Specialty Group of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network established 15 local ophthalmic trainee research networks (TRNs), aligned geographically to the NIHR clinical research networks [7, 8] , across England in 2016-2017. We have previously highlighted a strong positive attitude among ophthalmology trainees towards the establishment of TRN [9] , and have demonstrated its potential as an effective model for promoting research experience, training, outputs, and collaborations among the ophthalmology trainees ( Fig. 1 ) [10] [11] [12] . Compared to the general surgery specialties [13] , the research productivity and potential of TRN within ophthalmology remains to be fully explored and utilised. Already however, several of the Ophthalmology TRNs have conducted and published a number of observational studies [10] [11] [12] . Among all TRNs, the surgical trainee-led West Midlands Research Collaborative (WMRC) is by far the most established model (http://wmresearch.org.uk/). The successful completion of several multicentre, randomised controlled trials, including the ROSSINI Trial and the DREAMS Trial, have showcased the potentials of TRN in contributing to highimpact research outputs and shaping clinical practice [14, 15] . More recently, COVIDSurg and COVIDSurg-Cancer, which included WMRC, were established by an international group of surgeons and anaesthetists from~90 countries to gather real-world data on various surgical aspects related to COVID-19 pandemic [16] . Their ongoing success has certainly served as a role model and inspiration for many other TRNs in the UK (Table 1) . Based on our experience and many other successful examples demonstrated within and beyond ophthalmology, we believe that TRN is the way forward in effectively promoting research training, Fig. 1 Set up of trainee research network (TRN) and its benefits. Infographics highlighting the essential workforce, resources and support required to set up a trainee research network (TRN), and the benefits that can be gained through the network. Research in ophthalmology during traineeship: is it important? High hospital research participation and improved colorectal cancer survival outcomes: a population-based study Participation in clinical trials improves outcomes in women's health: a systematic review and meta-analysis Cochrane Eyes and Vision Research attitudes and perceived barriers to conducting research among ophthalmology trainees Motivators and barriers to engagement with evidence-based practice among medical and dental trainees from the UK and Republic of Ireland: a national survey Ophthalmology research in the UK's National Health Service: the structure and performance of the NIHR's Ophthalmology research portfolio Trainee-led research networks in ophthalmology: is this the way forward? North East Trainee Research in Ophthalmology Network (NETRiON). Incidence, characteristics, outcomes and confidence in managing posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery in the UK: an ophthalmology trainees' perspective Confidence of UK ophthalmology registrars in managing posterior capsular rupture: results from a national trainee survey Variations in treatment delivery for patients with neovascular AMD in the UK: results from an ophthalmology trainee clinical research network study Surgical trainee research collaboratives in the UK: an observational study of research activity and publication productivity Impact of wound edge protection devices on surgical site infection after laparotomy: multicentre randomised controlled trial (ROSSINI Trial) Dexamethasone versus standard treatment for postoperative nausea and vomiting in gastrointestinal surgery: randomised controlled trial (DREAMS Trial) Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS Study conceptualization and design: DSJT. Data collection: ZZO. Data interpretation and analysis DSJT acknowledges support from the Medical Research Council /Fight for Sight (FFS) Clinical Research Fellowship (MR/T001674/1) The authors declare no competing interests. Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to Darren S. J. Ting. Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.