Currently, there is insufficient research in the field of global surgery, especially regarding the effectiveness of capacity-building partnerships . Needs assessments should be developed by those in LMICs, so that ISTCs can be directed to address LMICs’ specific needs. Attention should be given to cultural humility of global surgery interventions, which is important in ensuring that the interventions align with the goals of LMICs. Assessments of education methodology and technology are important in addressing how best to teach surgery in resource-limited settings. Equally relevant is the need for longitudinal outcomes research that assesses whether ISTCs are producing successful outcomes, including increased number of surgical healthcare providers in LMICs, greater number of surgeries, and improved patient outcomes. There is also a need for a standardized system of metrics to evaluate these outcomes in order to inform policy makers . Increased research output in regards to global surgery is a feasible step towards improving efforts such as ISTCs and can simultaneously serve to increase the presence of global surgery in the academic arena.