Barriers to research productivity among gastroenterologists and hepatologists in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Clinical research is essential for the advancement of medical knowledge and evidence-based medical practice. In this study, we aimed to identify barriers that limit research productivity among gastroenterologists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: We conducted a national online survey targeting gastroenterologists in Saudi Arabia. Participants were asked about the patterns of their practice, their prior research activities, and potential barriers to research productivity. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the association between different factors and research productivity. Results: A total of 85 gastroenterologists completed the survey. Respondents were predominantly male physicians (90.6%) and 40% of them belonged to the age group of 40-49 years. About 85.9% had at least one prior research participation of any type. Around 67.1% of the respondents had been a primary investigator at least once in the last 5 years, while only 23.5% had been a primary investigator at a minimum average rate of once a year. Multiple barriers to research productivity were identified: insufficient research time (78.8%), lack of funding and compensation (77.6%), lack of a statistician (68.2%), insufficient research training (64.7%), lack of connection (60%), lack of technical support (57.6%), and lack of interest (31%). On univariate analysis, insufficient research time and lack of funding and compensation were significantly associated with no research participation ( P <0.01 and 0.03, respectively). On multivariate analysis, lack of funding and compensation was independently associated with no research participation (adjusted OR 15.32;95% C.I 2.66, 121.58, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Barriers to research productivity are highly prevalent among gastroenterologists in Saudi Arabia. Insufficient research time and lack of funding and compensation are the most common. Interventions are needed to promote research activities.

The Barriers of Conducting Medical Research in Saudi Arabia: A Review

“…Followed by a lack of funding and compensation with (77.6%) and lack of a statistician (68.2%). Additionally, Improvement of personal C.V and enhancement of research skills are the two most reported goals, 81.1% and 80%, respectively [17]. (Soubhanneyaz) Conducted a cross-sectional study among 132 family medicine residents in the Joint Program of Family Medicine Post-Graduate Studies, Medina, Saudi Arabia.…”

“…Evidences suggest that postgraduate medical trainees who participate in adequate research activities have better critical thinking skills, medical supervision, and lifelong learning [3,4]. Since replacing the individualized, unsystematic decisions in clinical practice in 1992, evidence-based medicine has been the accepted approach to patient care.5 Clinical research is the foundation of evidence-based medicine and a key to providing the best possible care for patients [6][7][8]. Research activities have been improving recently in Saudi Arabia.…”

“…Research activities have been improving recently in Saudi Arabia. The number of publications in health science has significantly increased between 2008 and 2017, with an annual growth rate of 14.1% [6][7][8][9].…”

“…A cross-sectional study conducted in a military hospital in Saudi Arabia found that most of the general practitioners who were included in the study had no research publications and were not working on any research projects, despite the fact that most of them had positive attitudes [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. For example, the field of family medicine is still developing and is a relatively new one in Saudi Arabia.…”

Research Output and Knowledge Translation Among Faculty Members of University of Technology, Jamaica

“…The investigators performed multivariate analysis to examine associations between diverse factors and research productivity. It was concluded that the top barrier to research is insufficient time [23]. Both Institutional factors and Individual factors seem to play a role in research productivity.…”