[An analysis of research projects on primary care presented to the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria during 1991].
METHODS
Observational cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Proposals on primary health care (domain, functions and activities) identified among a total of the 1412, belonging to all topics, submitted to the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria during the 1991 exercise.


METHODS
Proposals were classified according the degree of quality in the methodological fulfillment, pointed out those accepted for grant by the Technical Evaluation Committees.


RESULTS
55 proposals about Primary Health Care were identified which account for 3.8% of the all proposals submitted. The degree of topic pertinence was very high with hypothesis and objectives well set out. There was a poor fulfillment of the methods and plan of action. Those projects with a very good fulfillment were accepted in a 90% of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The reviewed proposals shaw a good pertinence in the research on primary health care. We could notice a growing portion of researchers well trained with exigent methodological criteria. However, it remains a majority of proposals with poor methodological fulfillment which could easily be improved by increasing research training and expert support. Some advices are offered for the elaboration of research projects.
Gómez de la Cámara
A
A
Unidad de Investigación Metodológica, Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid.
Gabriel
R
R
Pozo
F
F
Marín
E
E
Ricoy
J R
JR
D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D013030:Spain