Análisis of health research in Santander

Role of the Instituto Colombiano de Investigaciones Biomédicas

Abstract

The main aim of the present study was to analyze the development of health research in Santander during the last 10 years. The analysis was divided into two periods of time: the first one from January 1995 to December 1999 and the second one from January 2000 to December 2004. Three variables were analyzed: a) Number of research projects funded by Colciencias and b) Number of articles from at least one institution in Bucaramanga and which were published in indexed journals in PUBMED c) Number and category of groups recognized by COLCIENCIAS. 5 projects were funded during the first period, 19 articles were published and 11 groups: 1 in A, 3 in B, 4 in C and 3 in D were recognized. In the period from 2000 to 2004, 56 projects were funded, 73 articles were published and 9 groups: 4 in A. 2 in B and 3 in C were recognized. The institutions with more projects, publications and groups were UIS, FCV, ICIB and UNAB. It is important to highlight that the 70% of the articles published were the result of the collaboration among the institutions that made part of ICIB, and with the support of international institutions. In addition, we observed the same level of participation from the public and private sectors, which contributed to this huge increase in health research in Bucaramanga, something unusual in developing countries. The results suggested that the accelerated growth in health research in Santander will be maintained during the next years.