Content analysis of the Filipino Family Physician Journal: Seven-year review
- Author:
Guanzon Ricardo Sotelo
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
RESEARCH DESIGN;
JOURNAL ARTICLE;
- From:
The Filipino Family Physician
2012;50(1):13-18
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: The journal in its many years of publication has seen changes in its cover design, themes, authorship, and major discussion points. A review can tell us about its focus, and many other factors which make it relevant and able to deliver the needs of its readers.
Objective: To determine the contents of the Filipino Family Physician journal involving seven publication years and analyzed them on certain parameters which concern the editorial board and the writers/readers.
Method: Content analysis using twenty issues, encompassing seven publication years of the journal was done based on the following parameters: authorship, number of authors, research design, statistics employed, total number of pages, number of references or citations, institutional affiliation, themes or issues addressed, tools and instruments used. Issues analyzed: 2005/2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2009-2011. But for 2005, 2006 and 2009, 2011; only 2 issues per publication year were analyzed.
Results: No. of pages = 824 for 116 articles contained in 20 issues (4 issues/year), 7.1 pages per article with an average of 23.2 articles published per year or 5.8 articles per issue of the journal. There were 177 authors who wrote for the journal in 20 issues, averaging 35.4 authors who wrote per year's issues. Fifty percent of the authors were residents, 23% mixed, and 15% by consultants. Sixty percent by single authorship and 17% by 3 or more. Sixty percent used descriptive design (cross-sectional, case-control, cohort) and 10% each were case reports and randomized controlled studies. Eighty-six percent used foreign citations with 96% non-Asian sources and only 14% citied Philippine authors. Forty six percent of all the articles were written from university-based health institutions, and 21% by non-training institutions or local chapters. On themes - 15% were on non-communicable diseases of which 10% were on diabetes mellitus and hypertension, 13% each were on behavioral medicine & counseling, and medical education and bioethics. Least written were on nutrition, pharmacoadherence, medical informatics, and economics.
Conclusion: Most of the articles published were of single authorship commonly written by a resident/fellow, sometimes with a consultant co-author, usually using the descriptive design, and standardized instruments with good statistical tools or packages commonly citing foreign authors. The articles written were as varied and wide as the fields of interest in Family and Community Medicine and general practice. Subject matter usually about non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus and hypertension and behavioral medicine. The authors usually come from training institutions or university-based health facilities.
