Andorra as a living lab? The inSCI example.

OBJECTIVE

In light of the persistent concern identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) that small population countries tend to be ignored in international health research, preventing them from developing research capacity, this paper describes the participation of Andorra in an international spinal cord injury survey (InSCI) and resulting benefits.

METHODS

Descriptive analysis of Andorra's health research situation and participation in InSCI.

RESULTS

Andorra has successfully participated in an international survey improving health research capacity and governmental support.

CONCLUSION

In line with WHO recommendations to improve small country health research capacity, and specifically to improve their health information collection capacity, the described participation of Andorra in an international health survey demonstrates how this capacity can be improved without sacrificing methodological restrictions.