Taking a doctorate in family medicine in the Nordic countries

Håkansson, Anders

doi:10.1080/02813430802223513

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In the Nordic countries there have been efforts to increase primary care research. [ 2 , 3 ] Primary care and family medicine have been practised for a long time; however, the academic discipline is still young and lacks traditions. [ 4 ] In the current world, specialized medicine develops rapidly and health care becomes increasingly costly.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Encouraging primary care research: evaluation of a one-year, doctoral clinical epidemiology research course

Liira¹,

Koskela²,

Thulesius³

et al. 2016

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectiveResearch and PhDs are relatively rare in family medicine and primary care. To promote research, regular one-year research courses for primary care professionals with a focus on clinical epidemiology were started. This study explores the academic outcomes of the first four cohorts of research courses and surveys the participants’ perspectives on the research course.DesignAn electronic survey was sent to the research course participants. All peer-reviewed scientific papers published by these students were retrieved by literature searches in PubMed.SettingPrimary care in Finland.SubjectsA total of 46 research course participants who had finished the research courses between 2007 and 2012.ResultsOf the 46 participants 29 were physicians, eight nurses, three dentists, four physiotherapists, and two nutritionists. By the end of 2014, 28 of the 46 participants (61%) had published 79 papers indexed in PubMed and seven students (15%) had completed a PhD. The participants stated that the course taught them critical thinking, and provided basic research knowledge, inspiration, and fruitful networks for research.ConclusionA one-year, multi-professional, clinical epidemiology based research course appeared to be successful in encouraging primary care research as measured by research publications and networking. Activating teaching methods, encouraging focus on own research planning, and support from peers and tutors helped the participants to embark on research projects that resulted in PhDs for 15% of the participants. Key PointsClinical research and PhDs are rare in primary care in Finland, which has consequences for the development of the discipline and for the availability of clinical lecturers at the universities.A clinical epidemiology oriented, one-year research course increased the activity in primary care research. Focus on own research planning and learning the challenges of research with peers appeared to enhance the success of a doctoral research course.A doctoral research course encouraged networking, and the course collaboration sometimes led to paper co-authoring.In the Nordic countries, the primary care health professionals are used to working in multi-professional teams. A multi-professional strategy also seems fruitful in doctoral research education.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Encouraging primary care research: evaluation of a one-year, doctoral clinical epidemiology research course

Liira¹,

Koskela²,

Thulesius³

et al. 2016

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The number of researchers is in general increasing in Norway, but the proportion of medical doctors in research positions is steadily decreasing [7]. Due to financial problems, part-time PhD work is the rule in Sweden and Finland [8]. There has never been a lower number of full-time medical research doctors in Norway.…”

Section: Increased Scholarshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

General practice needs to improve recruitment and income of GP researchers

Wesnes

2009

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…According to a previous study, most Finnish GPs thought that the amount of training in research had been insufficient during their specialization process [ 5 ]. However, in recent years in the Nordic countries, there have been aspirations to enhance research work in primary health care [ 6 , 7 ]. For example, primary care research courses and scientific congresses and seminars have been organized in Finland [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research orientation among general practitioners compared to other specialties

Sumanen

Reho

Heikkilä

et al. 2021

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective The volume of research work done by general practitioners (GP) is modest compared to other specialties. In order to find out reasons for this we examined the current situation concerning research orientation and factors relating to them among Finnish GPs compared to other specialists. Design and setting Data from The Physician 2018 Study were used for our research. The study was undertaken in collaboration with all five medical faculties in Finland and the Finnish Medical Association. It compiled information on physicians` social background, work history and career and research plans as well as their views regarding undergraduate and specialist training, values, and professional identity. Subjects The basic study population comprised all Finnish doctors under 70 years of age ( N = 23,131). Questionnaires were sent to doctors born on even-numbered days ( n = 11,336). Altogether 5,214 (45.8%) responded. Responses from GPs ( n = 796) were compared with those of doctors in other specialties ( n = 3,514). Main outcome measures and results The respondents were asked about their current intention to undertake a doctoral degree. Factors associated with this were analysed. Only 7.3% of GPs had completed a doctoral degree. The corresponding figure in other specialties was 32.3% ( p < 0.001). In general practice the current intention to undertake a doctoral degree had only slightly increased over ten years. Most GPs had also decided not to undertake a doctorate. The main factors associated with the current intention to complete a doctoral degree were interest in attaining a senior position (OR 3.43, 95% CI 2.25–5.24), a position in a university hospital district (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.69–4.94) or other sector than primary care (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.18–2.96), one’s father being a doctor (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.09–3.72) and male gender (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.05–2.54). Conclusion Research work in primary health care has been quite sparse. In general practice there is a need to increase teaching and guidance in research work. Key points Research work in primary health care is not very common. Only 7.3% of GPs had completed their doctorate compared to 32.3% in other specialties. A main factor associated with the current intention to complete a doctoral degree was interest in attaining a senior position.

show abstract

Taking a doctorate in family medicine in the Nordic countries

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

Encouraging primary care research: evaluation of a one-year, doctoral clinical epidemiology research course

Encouraging primary care research: evaluation of a one-year, doctoral clinical epidemiology research course

General practice needs to improve recruitment and income of GP researchers

Research orientation among general practitioners compared to other specialties

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About