Factors related to the performance of research in the Gondomar Group of Health Centres: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: Research is essential for development of general practice as a scientific discipline. In Portugal, there are many difficulties in performing research in primary health care. This study was conducted to quantify the scientific output of family doctors and trainees in primary care units in Gondomar, to understand their motivation for doing research, and to assess the factors related to successful completion of research. Type of study: Cross-sectional study. Location: Gondomar Group of Health Centres, Portugal. Population: Family medicine specialists and trainees. Methods: We performed a census among the 133 general practitioners in the Gondomar Group of Health Centres using an original questionnaire. The variables studied were the number and of studies performed by the participants over a two-year period. We also asked participants about their satisfaction with the amount of research done and the factors that supported the performance of research. Results: We received 79 completed questionnaires for a response rate of 59.4%. There were 212 studies reported for a mean of 2.68 studies per doctor. Trainees were involved in a higher number of studies than specialists, with a mean of 6 studies per trainee. About half the doctors (46.8%) were not involved in any studies during the study period and over half of the participants (57%) were not satisfied with the number of studies done. Lack of time in general and time for research in particular were the main reasons given for not conducting research. Conclusion: General practice in Portugal is evolving but there is still a long way to go in promoting high quality research in primary health care centres.