Barriers and Motivations for Research among Sudanese Plastic Surgeons: A Cross-sectional Survey

Background: Over the last few years, Sudan has faced numerous challenges in research, particularly in medical research, which have been reflected in the poor quality of its health services. The field of plastic surgery is not an excuse for these publication challenges. This study explores the main challenges faced by plastic surgery publications in Sudan. Methods: A well-structured questionnaire was used in this quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey and was distributed among certified Sudanese plastic surgeons. Results: Of the 55 surgeons, 45 responded. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the entire questionnaire was 0.755. Most were male (73%). Only 22% had published their theses, and 64% had published research, mainly outside the field of plastic surgery. The key motivators for conducting research were improving patient care (87.2%) and reshaping health policy (84.8%). The primary barriers to conducting research were insufficient funds (80.4%), lack of mentorship (78.2%), and limited institutional collaboration (77.4%). Conclusion: The overall attitude toward research is generally positive, with improvements in patient care and the reshaping of health policy as key motivators. The main barriers include a lack of funding, mentorship, and adequate institutional collaboration. Addressing these challenges by providing additional research funding and institutional partnerships will enhance the Sudanese plastic surgeon’s research output.