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. 2021 Mar-Apr;27(2):73-78.
doi: 10.4103/sjg.SJG_332_20.

Barriers to research productivity among gastroenterologists and hepatologists in Saudi Arabia

Mais AlSardi  1 , Dimah AlAskar  1 , Majid Alsahafi  2 , Turki AlAmeel  1 , Eman Al Sulais  3
Affiliations

Barriers to research productivity among gastroenterologists and hepatologists in Saudi Arabia

Mais AlSardi et al. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar-Apr.

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.

Keywords: Barriers; gastroenterologists; research.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Relationship between allocated research time and the number of studies as a primary investigator in the last 5 years
Figure 2
Figure 2
The prevalence of various barrier factors limiting research productivity among the survey's responders
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of the single most limiting factor for research participation among all survey respondents
Figure 4
Figure 4
Distribution of research participation goals among survey's responders
Figure 5
Figure 5
Distribution of the single most important goal for research participation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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