[Current situation of anesthesiology research in Andalucia and Extremadura. Comparative study with the rest of Spain].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the quality and quantity of scientific research in anesthesiology in Andalucia and Extremadura, comparing them with the rest of Spain.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of publications (original research articles and clinical notes) by spanish authors whose abstracts appeared in the MEDLINE data base from 1990 to 1994. Quality of research design was assessed with the classification system of Fletcher and Fletcher, who categorize works and being either descriptive or analytical. Comparative analysis was in reference to the total number of anesthesiologists.


RESULTS
Anesthesiologists working in Andalucía and Extremadura make up 21.7% of the total number in Spain, yet fewer publications came from these regions (17%). The proportion of analytical designs, however, was significantly higher (60% versus 44%; p = 0.05). Publications were similar in other ways, though there was a higher proportion of articles from non-anesthesiologists in Andalucía and Extremadura (p = 0.02). Most publications adressed clinical questions.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there is less scientific publication coming from Andalucía and Extremadura in the field of anesthesiology, its quality is acceptable and seems to be improving.
Caba
F
F
Servicio de Anestesiologia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario de Valme, Sevilla.
Echevarria
M
M
D000776:Anesthesiology; D015706:Bibliometrics; D012106:Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce
Situación actual de la investigación en anestesiología en Andalucía-Extremadura. estudio comparativo con el resto de España.