Challenges in orthopaedic data collection in Gaza Strip: observational findings and bibliometric analysis

Purpose. The aim is to showcase the urgent need for improved data infrastructure and international collaboration by highlighting the barriers to comprehensive orthopaedic documentation and quantifying the scope and nature of scholarly research on Gaza’s healthcare crisis.

Methods. Data was collected through integration of observational field notes, informal interviews, patient record reviews and a bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed articles on the 2023–2025 armed escalations in Gaza.

Results. The review of patient documentation during surgical missions in Gaza revealed significant gaps in critical clinical information, including surgical history, microbiology data, and postoperative instructions, which hindered patient care. Frequent damage to records due to resource shortages and bombardments, along with issues in retrieving imaging data, further exacerbated these challenges. Bibliometric analysis showed that most studies were retrospective, focusing on trauma care and limb salvage, reflecting the difficulty of conducting prospective research in a conflict zone. Of the 114 publications reviewed, only three (2.6%) met inclusion criteria, with two of them involving Gaza-based Palestinian authors, despite barriers like power outages, limited journal access, and resource constraints. These findings highlight the resilience of Gaza’s healthcare workers and the need for improved infrastructure, standardized documentation, and international partnership to enhance patient outcomes and strengthen global orthopaedic research.

Conclusion. Orthopaedic documentation in Gaza is hampered by the compound impacts of recurrent conflict, infrastructural decay, and constrained academic output. Observational findings reveal the fragility of paper-based systems, while a bibliometric survey underscores the paucity of locally driven, empirical research. International efforts are needed to overcome these barriers for improved data infrastructure.