Research Productivity Among Recipients of AAFP Foundation Grants

• DOI: 10.1370/afm.628
• Publication Date: 2007-03-26T22:36:54Z
• Authors: M. C. Mahoney; P. Verma; S. Morantz
• Keywords: Male; Research; Publications; Academies and Institutes; Efficiency; United States; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; 0302 clinical medicine; Research Support as Topic; Humans; Female; Family Practice

This study examines research productivity generated by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation and the AAFP Joint Grant Awards Program (JGAP) based upon projects funded during the period 1990 through 2000.A structured questionnaire was mailed to all JGAP applicants who were funded between 1990 and 2000 (N = 95). The cross-sectional questionnaire included items reflective of research productivity: (1) numbers of publications, (2) numbers of presentations, and (3) numbers and types of subsequent grants. An additional comparison examined publication productivity among a subset of funded (n = 17) and nonfunded applicants (n = 36).The 69 funded respondents reported 91 publications and 129 presentations deriving from JGAP-supported research; 26 subsequent grants were funded ($9.6 million total costs). Funded and nonfunded applicants showed a significant increase in the overall number of publications during the 5-year period after their application when compared with the 5-year period before their application. Funded applicants had a greater number of publications during both the 5 years before and the 5 years after their JGAP grant submission.Projects supported by the JGAP have generated a considerable body of publications and presentations, as well as subsequent grant activity. This program appears to be important in supporting the early career development of family medicine researchers.