A profile of health research in Jamaica 1991-1995 - abstract

ABSTRACT

A Profile of health research in Jamaica 1991- 1995 was prepared. Of 43 organizations or research groups surveyed, 31 met the criteria of at least one peer review publication between 1991 and 1995. Most had fewer than 20 professionals staff, and less than 10 engaged in health research, with a total of 227 health researchers. Institutional objectives and funding opportunities largely determined research priorities. A total of 704 research papers were published over the period with one-third (10) of the organizations responsible for 459 or 65 percent of all publications. On the whole, local research groups appear to be small, vulnerable, under-funded and deficient in basic equipment as well as in trained and experience researchers and support staff. These are compelling reasons for health researchers to come together to tackle common problems, promote collaboration and forge a joint strategy to strengthen health research capability in Jamaica(AU)