ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the research competence and training needs of young general practitioners (GPs) in Guangdong province.Methods:A questionnaire survey on research competence and training needs was conducted in December 2020 among GPs from one selected economically developed area and one selected less developed area in Guangdong Province.Results:A total of 172 young GPs were included in the study. The survey showed that 75.6% (130/172) and 76.2% (131/172) respondents thought that participation in scientific research and research literacy were important, but only 11.9% (21/172) had participated in research project, among whom 81.0% (17/21) undertook data collection. The basic score of evidence-based medicine was 24.00(21.00, 28.00), and 55.2% respondents (95/172) were able search literature when they encountered problems and 43.7% (77/172) used domestic databases. The self-assessment score of scientific research ability was 14.00(12.00, 17.00), the score of research training needs was 41.00(31.00, 49.50), and the scores of "scientific research topic selection, scientific research design, statistical analysis, organization and implementation, and paper writing" were generally high. There was significant difference in the total scores of the two scales of evidence-based medicine basis and scientific research ability self-assessment among respondents with different educational background ( P<0.05). The basic score of evidence-based medicine of orientation-trained GPs was higher than that of non-orientation-tranined GPs; the average score of research training needs in female respondents was higher than that in males ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The study suggests that young general practitioners have inadequate experience in research participation and organization, and low self-ratings of research competence, but generally high personal efficacy in research. It is recommended that appropriate training content and well-organized intervention should be developed for young GPs.