[Assessment of the performance of sabbatical leave: Hospital Clínic i Provincial of Barcelona (1990-1991). Research Committee of the Hospital Clínic i Provincial of Barcelona].
BACKGROUND
The development of an evaluation protocol for assessing the scientific contribution and the impact on medical care of the sabbatical leaves granted in a large Spanish teaching hospital.


METHODS
The sabbatical leaves for all faculty staff of the Hospital Clínic i Provincial of Barcelona (HCPB) were analyzed since 1980 trough 1991. The scientific production analysis was done according to the impact factor (IF) score of the Science Citation Index. Descriptive statistical techniques as well as parametric and non-parametric tests were used for comparisons.


RESULTS
A total of 52 sabbatical leaves was analyzed of all 60 leaves granted (87%). Mean duration of the leave was 7.94 +/- 3.86 months. The scientific production includes 89 original articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals, with a total score of 300.82 IF points (mean score: 5.78 +/- 7.12 IF points by leave). There were significant differences in the mean duration, number of papers published and IF points score by sabbatical leave between the Medicine, Surgery and Other Departments. In 16 cases (31%) there was a professional promotion following the sabbatical leave and in 20 cases (39%) an academic promotion. In 27 cases (60%) there was no promotion after the leave. Most of the faculty staff physicians (96%) are still employed in the same institution, and believe that the sabbatical leave has significantly contributed to their promotion (67%). A high percentage (94%) has also been able to develop afterwards the methods and techniques learned during the sabbatical leave.


CONCLUSIONS
The experience of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona in granting sabbatical leaves has been highly positive. The scientific performance of the individuals on leave is high. Our institution has been able to add and develop most of the techniques and methods learned overseas. The future of the sabbatical leaves in other Spanish Universities and Hospitals should be regarded as a high priority target. The performance of these leaves is supported by its scientific results, that could be quantified.
Rodés
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Unitat de Recerca Epidemiològica, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Universitat de Barcelona.
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Asenjo
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Grau
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D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006761:Hospitals; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain
Evaluación del rendimiento de los permisos sabáticos: Hospital Clínic i Provincial de Barcelona (1980-1991). Comité de Investigación del Hospital Clínic i Provincial de Barcelona.