[Research activity in abdominal ultrasonography in German university departments of gastroenterology - comparison between 1999 and 2009]. / Forschungssituation in der Abdomensonografie in den gastroenterologischen Abteilungen der Universitätskliniken in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland - Vergleich 1999 - 2009.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study was to generate an overview of the current research situation in abdominal ultrasonography conducted by gasteroenterology departments of German university hospitals and to compare this situation with data from 1999. METHODS: A survey was sent to all 36 German university hospitals encompassing information on research topics, number of research projects and publications, grants, and support by manufacturers of ultrasonography units. The response rate was 86 %. RESULTS: 74 % of gastroenterological departments had 113 ongoing research projects during the enquiry period - on average 3.6 projects per departement. Of these projects 43 % were clinical research, 11 % technical studies, 13 % various topics and 33 % studies with ultrasound contrast enhancers. Ten years ago 80 % of gastroenterological departments had research projects - on average 3.5 projects per department. There was no significant difference in the number of publications between the two enquiry periods. The percentage of publications in English had increased considerably from 57 % (1999) to 78 % (2009). Regarding scientific grants there was no relevant difference during the observed time spans. A total of 32 % (1999 26 %) of departments receive external funding in addition to their regular budgets. Forty-five percent (1999 31 %) receive support from manufacturers in the form of hard- and software for application studies. CONCLUSION: Regrettably the research situation in abdominal ultrasonography has not improved considerably during the observed time span. As already stated in 1999, the urgent need for improved research funding for what is the most widely applied image modality still remains an ongoing concern.