Global Child Neurology Capacity Building Through the Child Neurology Society International Affairs Committee: From Needs Assessment to SMART Action Goals

Background Child neurology in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) faces persistent disparities in workforce capacity, subspecialty training, and structured mentorship. To address these gaps, the Child Neurology Society International Affairs Committee (CNS-IAC) launched a 2-phase initiative to identify regional needs and develop SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound) goals and action plans. Objective To identify educational and clinical priorities of child neurologists practicing in LMICs and translate these findings into region-specific SMART goals and action plans. Methods A mixed method study was conducted in 2 phases. Phase 1 (2024) used a de novo Qualtrics survey reviewed by the international child neurology experts. The survey assessed 12 clinical domains, preferred educational resources, and open-ended needs. Phase 2 (2025) consisted of structured regional working groups at the CNS Annual Meeting, where participants codeveloped SMART action plans through facilitated discussion and iterative refinement. Results A total of 48 clinicians from 18 LMICs contributed to phase 1 of the initiative . During phase 1 , 29 clinicians completed the online survey and 19 participated in the in-person discussion session , with 2 individuals participating in both activities. Thirty-nine participants participated in the structured regional working groups and developed regional SMART goals. General child neurology and epilepsy were the most common areas of interest. Respondents highlighted limited access to standardized curricula, mentorship, and subspecialty training. SMART plans emphasized adaptable education, leadership development, and sustainable implementation. Conclusions The CNS-IAC model provides a practical, scalable framework for moving from needs assessment to regionally driven action to strengthen child neurology capacity in LMICs.