Research on Primary Care in Mallorca

Research on Primary Care (PC) in Spain is still scarce. A PC Research Unit has been created in Majorca 20 years ago, it was one of the few recognised by the Carlos III Health Institute (Instituto de Salud Carlos III, ISCIII) at that time. We present the results of activity developed during 2009 and 2010 in Majorca Primary Care Research Unit. Regarding partnership in research structures, the Majorca Research Unit, together with the Son Espases University Hospital, pertains CAIBER, accredited by ISCIII; three groups have been acredited in the Cooperative Research Network (RETICS), concretely to the redIAPP (Preventive Activities Research Network). There is also a PC group in IUNICS. In the last two years the Unit has participated in 42 competitive projects (23 new ones), most of them funded by the ISCIII. The pharmaceutical industry has promoted 24 clinical trials and observational studies. External funds obtained were up to 873.100 (sic). Sixty five articles have been published, 49 originals cited in PubMed and 16 non-original publications. From these publications, 32 are refereed by the Science Citation Index, 22 of them in the 1st-2nd quartile with a total impact factor = 94.54. In this period we recorded 38 conference presentations and 171 communications. Research activity of the Majorcan PC professionals is important. The task developed by the Research Unit and it's researchers obtained valuable scientific results and attract research resources compared with the small investment done by health authorities. Research results obtained, clearly promote the improvement of clinical quality and the transference of results to clinical practice. Conclusions: structures for research in primary care must be preserved to maintain the national leadership.