Abstract
Large clinical studies provide information and insight that are used to develop clinical
guidelines. In view of the large sample sizes needed, many researchers have initiated
multicenter studies. In some situations, the activities of these groups have led to
networks, through which multiple trials have been executed over a longer period of
time. The Global Obstetrics Network (GONet) was formed to link the different types
of networks. The GONet mission is “to provide a forum for international interaction
and collaboration among groups that perform clinical trials and observational studies
in maternal fetal medicine and obstetrics.” The purpose is to foster communication
between groups to improve ongoing and future trials. This will open new avenues for
cooperation in the design and conduct of large international trials, in seeking funding,
and in highlighting evidence. The expectation is that this will lead to better studies
and more efficient use of resources and minimize duplication. Furthermore, the group
will provide insight and camaraderie, cooperate on data elements to allow future collaborations,
and identify and highlight the pressing issues in maternal–fetal medicine. Here we
describe the GONet mission, its objectives, structure and function, current collaborators,
and plans for the future.
Keywords
Global Obstetrics Network - multicenter studies - trial collaboration - maternal–fetal
medicine and obstetrics
