[Key issues for the number of publications by Ph.D. graduates in medicine and pharmaceutical sciences].

INTRODUCTION

Scientific production by Ph.D. students is a matter of ongoing debate. The key issues for the number of publications during and after the Ph.D. study are not sufficiently described.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on the Registry of Ph.D. students and data from the Central Office of Civil Registration, we conducted a survey among 1170 persons previously enrolled in a Ph.D. programme in medicine or pharmaceutical sciences. Data on activities such as supervision and teaching, social issues and economy in the research team were stratified according to sex, age, master degree, institution, year and length of enrolment. The data were modelled in multiple linear regression using the number of peer-reviewed publications as the outcome. The response rate was 60%.

RESULTS

The number of publications based on the Ph.D. project was only marginally influenced by the investigated variables. A high total number of publications was associated with men, with having been a Ph.D. supervisor, with research groups described as having a good atmosphere and sufficient financial funding.

CONCLUSION

The medical and pharmaceutical Ph.D. programmes display an inherent strength concerning the process. Although our study supplies confirmatory data, it also shows that the team spirit is important to scientific productivity.