Characteristics and publication patterns of theses from a Peruvian medical school

Abstract

Background: Many medical schools require a student thesis before graduation. Publishing results in a peer-reviewed journal could be an indicator of scientific value and acceptability by the scientific community. The publication pattern of theses published by medical students in Peru is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics and publication pattern of theses in biomedical-indexed journals conducted by medical students in a university with the highest research output in Peru. Methods: Data from registered theses between 2000 and 2003 were obtained from the university library. Publication of theses in biomedical journals was assessed in 2008 by a search strategy using PubMed, Google Scholar, LILACS, LIPECS and SciELO. Results: Four hundred and eighty-two medical theses were registered between 2000 and 2003; 85 (17.6%) were published in biomedical-indexed journals. Of the published theses, 28 (5.8%) were published in MEDLINE-indexed journals, 55 (11.4%) in SciELO-indexed journals, 61 (12.6%) in LILACS-indexed journals and 68 (14.1%) in LIPECS-indexed journals. Most of the published theses (80%) were in Spanish and published in Peruvian journals; and 17 theses (20%) were published in foreign journals (all of them indexed in MEDLINE). In addition, 37 (43.5%) belong primarily to internal medicine, and 24 (28.2%) belong primarily to infectious diseases. Medical students were first authors in 71 (83.5%) of the articles. Conclusion: In this study, most of the published theses were in Spanish, published in local journals and indexed in LIPECS. The percentage of published theses in biomedical journals at this university is comparable with others coming from developed countries.

Publication Pattern of Turkish Medical Theses: Analysis of 22.625 Medical Theses Completed in Years 1980-2005

“…AIn an ot her study, 482 medi cal the ses we re re gis te red bet we en 2000 and 2003; 85 (17.6%) we re pub lis hed in bi o me di calin de xed jo ur nals in Pe ru. 3 A study in In di a showed that 30% of the ses-re la ted re se arch con duc ted in a uni ver sity me di cal col le ge was pub lis hed in inde xed journals. 1 In a study con duc ted in Fin land, the per cen ta ge of dip lo ma the ses pub lis hed is (23.8%).…”

Publication rates of otolaryngology theses from Turkey in peer-reviewed journals

“…In similar studies around the world, the rates are as follows: 23.8% in Finland, 17% in France, 30% in India and 17.6% in Peru. [3,6,11,12] In our study, the publication rate of theses in international SCI and SCI-E journals was 36.3%, compared to 26.1% in other national or international journals. The total publication rate was 62.4%.…”

“…The publication rate is between 1.2% and 52.3%. [1][2][3][4][5][6] There are many reasons why the publication rates are so low, such as the work involved, time limitations, and fact that the students consider a thesis as only required to complete their specialization training. After some time, students no longer consider publishing their work, and there are no regulations to support or enforce the publication of theses.…”

Thesis in Medical Specialty Education at a Glance: Problems and Solution Proposals

“…Diğer ülkelerle karşılaştırıldığında bu oranların oldukça düşük kaldığı saptanır. Peru'da Tıp fakülteleri-ni bitirme tezlerini inceleyen bir araştırmada 2000-2003 yılları arasında 482 tez kaydının bulunduğu ve bunların %17,6'sının yayın haline gelmiş olduğu, %5,8'sinin medline'da taranan dergilerde olduğu bildirilmektedir (6). Bu araştırma, uzmanlık değil tıp fakültesi bitirme tezlerinin incelenmesi açısından ülkemizden farklılık göstermekle birlikte medline'da listelenen dergilerde yayınlanma oranları birbirine yakındır.…”