A survey of the attitude and practice of research among doctors in Riyadh Military Hospital primary care centers, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: To assess the attitude and practice of doctors in the Military Hospital Primary Care Centers in Riyadh (RMH) toward research and to identify the main barriers to conduct research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April, 2010, at RMH primary care centers. The sample included all general practitioners (GPs) working in primary healthcare centers. A self-administered questionnaire was formulated from different sources and used as a tool for data collection. RESULTS: The response rate was 75%. Among the respondents 96.9% agreed that research in primary care was important for different reasons. Most of the GPs had a positive attitude toward research: 68% had been influenced by research in their clinical practice and 66% had an interest in conducting research, and74.2% of the respondents had plans to do research in the future. Insufficient time was the most frequently cited barrier (83.5%) for participating in research, followed by the lack of support (58.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Many of the GPs had a positive attitude toward research, but had no publications or plan for new research. Lack of time, support, and money were the main constraints for carrying out research.