Global alignment, coordination and collaboration in perinatal research: the Global Obstetrics Network (GONet) Initiative.

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.