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Current status of general practice research in Australia. Analysis of a national database.

OBJECTIVE
To describe the current status of general practice research activity in Australia.


DESIGN
A descriptive survey of research projects included in a national research database, established by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The study instrument was a mailed questionnaire.


SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
Research projects involving or directly related to general practice that had commenced in Australia since 1 January 1989. Responses were specifically sought from all universities, the Family Medicine Programme and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.


RESULTS
Two hundred and thirty-seven projects from 130 different principal investigators, one-third of whom were not medical practitioners, were analysed. Over 85% of research took place in association with a recognised tertiary institution. Over half of the projects were descriptive only; the most common areas were medical education, prevention and screening and health services research. Of the 69 projects completed prior to 1991, 49 had been submitted for publication and 26 had been accepted.


CONCLUSIONS
The amount of general practice research undertaken in Australia is still small in relation to the size of the workforce, and most are descriptive studies. This national database will enable longitudinal changes in such patterns to be effectively monitored.