ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 233
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Doctorates by general practitioners/family physicians
relevant to the discipline 2000–22 from 35 countries
Prof Gerard Gill
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Deakin University
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Background
The modern doctorate was developed to produce independent scholars capable of becoming
professors.
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General practice/family medicine (GP/FM) has specific concerns which require research by individuals
cognizant of its principles, activities and problems.
This study was designed to examine if the discipline is producing sufficient advanced researchers.
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Methods
Doctors practicing GP/FM who were awarded a doctorate between 1 January 2000 and 31 December
2022 were identified using online national and international thesis databases (search terms General
practice/Family medicine, primary care or medical education), examination of medical school and
research institute research websites and data bases, GP/FM research conference abstracts, articles
published in national and the five leading journals of GP/FM research, searching the social media
program LinkedIn and an internet search using several search engines. At thesis submission the
individual was required to be training or in GP/FM practice, the thesis topic was relevant to the
clinical practice or educational development of GP/FM practitioners. Those whose thesis topic was a
basic science or MD/PhD thesis were removed as it soon became clear that such individuals rarely
produced further research relevant to GP/FM needs.
Results
By February 2023, 2001 individuals with a relevant thesis were identified; 48% were female, 670
were professors/associate professors. Seven countries (Netherlands, UK, Sweden, Australia,
Korea, Denmark and Finland) produced 74% of the identified doctorates. The median time at thesis
submission was 14 years from medical school graduation and 10 years from completion of GP/FM
discipline training. While European countries and Australia have large numbers of international medical
graduates in their GP/FM workforce it was rare that they submitted a thesis.
Conclusions
The WONCA Research Committee should consider developing a GP/FM doctoral theses database.
A need exists to develop efficient and equitable ways of producing GP/FM advanced researchers.
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