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GLOBAL ANDROLOGY FORUM

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The GAF: Structure, Roles, Functioning and Outcomes: An Online Model for Collaborative Research

September 17, 2023

The GAF: Structure, Roles, Functioning and Outcomes: An Online Model for Collaborative Research.

Authors: Walid El Ansari, Missy Savira, Widi Atmoko, Rupin Shah, Florence Boitrelle, Ashok Agarwal, World J Men’s Health,

Published online pISSN:
2287-4208 / eISSN: 2287-4690, World J Men’s Health Published online Jul 27, 2023
https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.230101

Preamble:
The Global Andrology Forum (GAF) is an innovative pioneering initiative of international collaborative online andrology research and training organization. The concept of GAF was initially formulated in 2020 by Dr. Ashok Agarwal, as a response to the limitations and restrictions extended by the COVID-19 pandemic. In an unexpectedly very short period since its introduction to the world, the GAF has clearly inspired the reproductive professionals around the world with its vision and mission, sturdily constructed its
organization, solidified its structure, and finely developed its policies and procedures. 

Currently, the GAF proudly incorporates close to 700 multidisciplinary members from different parts of the globe, with diverse experiences and expertise, to include novices as well as the most experienced and world-pronounced andrologists and scientists. The GAF has proved to be exceptionally productive with publications of dozens of original articles in high impact journals and several significant books and special issues. Further, many enthusiastic active researchers and research groups are currently conducting several other important ongoing research projects, that when published are expected to enrich the worldwide andrology literature and influence our practice. 

The free of charge GAF membership offers many benefits to the members including -but not limited to- exposure to innovative concepts and new ideas, opportunities to participate in high-quality systematic reviews, meta-analyses, scientific articles, and book chapters, attending online meetings, and receiving training in various aspects of research, such as study design, research methodology, literature searches, and scientific writing. The GAF is welcoming all qualified individuals to apply for free membership (please refer to our official website for more information 
(https://www.globalandrologyforum.com/welcome-a-member).

CAPSULE: GAF was launched in December 2021 as the first international collaborative online research group aiming to connect andrology professionals and scientists and to amalgamate multiple medical specialties and disciplines that share the common focus of male reproductive and sexual health. GAF members are from diverse specialties with urologists comprising the largest group (one third) followed by andrologists, researchers, in vitro fertilization (IVF) specialists, embryologists, and endocrinologists. Other specialties include immunology, biomedical engineering, product innovation, pediatrics, primary health care, public health, health care management, and genetics. Almost a third of the members are having >15 years of experience. GAF exerts continuous efforts in research and scientific publications, as these are key to the development and advancement of our understanding. GAF’s activities include online research, training, and webinars.
GAF outcomes include publishing of original scientific articles, state-of-the-art books, and Special issues of journals. GAF has published 29 original articles within one year of its creation, with authors from 48 countries spanning topics that included varicocele, sperm DNA damage, oxidative stress, semen analysis and male infertility, oocyte/embryo, and laboratory issues of assisted reproductive technique (ART) and male infertility evaluation.
This highlighted article is the first of a kind reporting the example of GAF research groups or consortiums, providing information on the membership characteristics, collaboratives, organizational configuration and hierarchy, management structure and as well as the scientific potential or actual achieved outcomes. 

Future Reflection:
Soon after its launch, the GAF became the impetus driving advancement in the practice of andrology all over the world. The numerous benefits brought by conducting high quality research, generating consensus, and eliciting impeccable quality of evidence for treatments and practices (that will become gold standard) for the practicing physician – will reflect on the andrology current landscape and will forever change the future horizon. GAF also inspires other esteemed and prestigious bodies to establish connections and affiliations. The GAF seriously considers and welcomes future affiliations with other related bodies, societies, associations, organizations, federations, and groups in different parts of the world.

Apart from andrology, the GAF represents a successful positive example and a constructive model for other disciplines wishing to develop similar collaborative international online research and training groups.

Many contemplate that GAF is here to stay, but we are proud to say that GAF is here to reshape the field and practice of andrology.

Acknowledgment: This commentary was written by Professor Taha Hamoda, Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia and Minia, Egypt.
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