The profile of general practitioners (GPs) who publish in selected family practice journals

Abstract

BackgroundProviding support for research is one of the key issues in the ongoing attempts to improve Primary Care. However, when patient care takes up a significant part of a GP's time, conducting research is difficult. In this study we examine the working conditions and profile of GPs who publish in three leading medical journals and propose possible remedial policy actions.FindingsThe authors of all articles published in 2006 and 2007 in three international Family Medicine journals - Annals of Family Medicine, Family Practice, and Journal of Family Practice - were contacted by E-mail. They were asked to complete a questionnaire investigating the following variables: availability of specific time for research, time devoted to research, number of patients attended, and university affiliation. Only GPs were included in the study. Three hundred and ten relevant articles published between 2006 and 2007 were identified and the authors contacted using a survey tool. 124 researchers responded to our questionnaire; 45% of respondents who were not GPs were excluded. On average GPs spent 2.52 days per week and 6.9 hours per day on patient care, seeing 45 patients per week. Seventy-five per cent of GPs had specific time assigned to research, on average 13 hours per week; 79% were affiliated to a university and 69% held teaching positions.ConclusionsMost GPs who publish original articles in leading journals have time specifically assigned to research as part of their normal working schedule. They see a relatively small number of patients. Improving the working conditions of family physicians who intend to investigate is likely to lead to better research results.

Investigación durante la residencia en medicina familiar: retos y perspectivas

“…Estos datos contrastan con la realidad, donde el número de investigadores en medicina familiar en el país es insuficiente para los grandes retos en salud 5,35 , y ponen en contexto un deseo inherente de los estudiantes por realizar investigación. Es importante que se identifiquen factores que afectan esta tendencia, una vez que se encuentran ya ejerciendo como médicos familiares 36 ; reconocer esta problemática será de gran ayuda para tender lazos en común entre instituciones, médicos en activo y en formación y colegios para hacer de la investigación en medicina familiar un pilar importante en su fortalecimiento.…”

Factors associated with internal medicine physician job attitudes in the Veterans Health Administration

“…Research-oriented medical centers exhibited similar lengths of stay [ 6 ] and lower risk-adjusted mortality rates [ 7 ] in comparison to non-research medical centers. Further, physician engagement in research may lead to improved quality of care, improved clinical efficacy, and effectiveness [ 8 ]. Despite the potential benefits of research involvement, the number of physicians conducting research as part of their regular work activities appears to be declining [ 9 ].…”