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Re: Do presenters to paediatric speciality groups get their work published?

Following my study of publication of work presented to the Paediatric Research Society {PRS} and the British Paediatric Association {BPA} Plenary sessions,[1] I sought further factors, which may affect subsequent publication.

Using the same method of searching Medline, I identified which of the 225 studies presented to sub-speciality groups of the BPA in 1996 were published by October 2000. I found 111 (49%) were published. This meant 143 (54%) of plenary and sub- speciality studies presented to the BPA in 1996 were published within 4 years.

Sub-speciality studies were published in 61 different journals; 19 paediatric. 77 articles (54%) were in paediatric journals, 46 in Archives of Disease in Childhood. Publication rates varied with specialty group, type of study and the place where the study was done. Publication rates in sub-specialty groups varied from 100% (4/4) to 0% (0/12). Sixteen studies were randomized controlled trials, 13 of which were published. Only 1 of 17 (6%) studies from District General Hospitals was published, compared with 118/218 (54%) from University departments or teaching hospitals.

Submission for publication strongly influences publication rate. However, study design and place where the study was done also affect publication of studies presented to scientific meetings.

F Andrew I Riordan
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
Birmingham, UK

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Re: Doing research: A challenge for district paediatricians