The research environment in family practice

Both the place of family practice in academic medicine and the intellectual underpinning of the specialty itself are thought by many to depend on the development of successful research programs in academic departments of family medicine. Yet many believe less research than desired is being done in such departments, even by faculty trained in research. To gain additional information on this important subject, a survey was conducted of the departmental research experiences of 42 graduates of the several Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Family Practice Academic Fellowship Programs who had had the opportunity for at least one year of faculty experience. The responses indicate that the majority of such graduates spend 20 percent or less of their time in research, that most perceive administrative duties as interfering with research, that a minority have budgeted research time, and few have departmental research funds. Despite these obstacles, those who do research publish with surprising frequency, about one paper per fellow per year. Several ways are presented to improve the research environment in departments of family practice and to lead to even more productive, secure research activities of these and other family practice faculty.