[Primary care research: the content of articles published in scientific journals].
OBJECTIVE
The quantifying, by subject area, of research published in scientific journals on primary health care, in five different cultural/geographic areas.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
Scientific journals on primary health care.


METHODS
Original articles published in 1991 in the following journals on primary health care (general practice): Atención Primaria, Canadian Family Physician, Family Practice, Journal of Family Practice and Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care.


RESULTS
The classification adopted here was that used in the research into primary health care by the Canadian Association of Family Physicians. The five journals between them published 263 original articles. Articles on organisation and provision of health services constituted 42% of the total; next in frequency were articles on epidemiology (18%) and on psychosocial concerns. Methodological studies and research into training and professional kills represent a scarce 6% and 8% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The most commonly occurring subject in primary health care research is research on services. In the future it would be desirable to develop other areas (the clinical and psycho-social areas, methodology, and training).
Escuela Nacional de Sanidad, Madrid.
A
A
López-Miras
R
R
Pastor-Sánchez
J
J
Gérvas
D002170:Canada; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012106:Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; D013030:Spain; D014481:United States
Investigación en atención primaria: contenido de los artículos publicados en revistas científicas.