Courageous Dedicated Research

Conducting research is one form of education. A quote from Former USA President John F. Kennedy is “let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone.” This editorial letter is dedicated to all of those persons conducting surgical healthcare oriented research.

Conducting this kind of research requires courage and the conviction that the outcome will be of benefit. Significant research requires perseverance. A researcher must be honest–a method is tried, and should the method fail, then an admission of failure is required, and another method pursued. Try and try again. Not to follow this procedure is, in essence, tantamount to giving up and losing an opportunity to better serve the world.

With the rapid advancements in technology come an increasing number of alternative approaches to treatment of surgical patients. Efficacy must always be proven, and research and analysis are required in the verification process. Humanitarian surgery requires its own verification and confirmation of values. Development and maintenance of databases must occur. Whether the research addresses fundamental scientific and medical questions, or verification and confirmation of a new technologically based surgical procedure, or whether the research is dealing with development and ongoing support of databases, commitment and perseverance are required for the research to be successful and be of benefit to all.

We appreciate and honor all those involved in research. It is our privilege to have the opportunity to work with such persons.