Effects of long-term studying abroad on scientific research ability of clinical doctors

Objective To analyze whether studying abroad has any influence on clinicians′ scientific research ability, and study the rationality of the indicators reflecting the scientific research ability. Methods A total of 36 clinicians who studied abroad more than 3 months between 2008 and 2010 were selected as the abroad group, and the control group of 36 clinicians was selected from the clinician information database of the hospital by the method of Propensity Score Match.A comparison and analysis were made regarding the number of papers(SCI), grants and scientific and technological achievements between the two groups.Meanwhile, covariance analysis was used to compare the difference in the number of scientific research achievements between the two groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the changes in scientific research achievements of clinicians before and after their abroad study. Results The number of articles(SCI)published and grants obtained in the 3 years after going abroad was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the number of grants obtained in the 4-6 years after going abroad was also significantly higher than that in the control group.The number of papers(SCI)published in the three years after going abroad was more than that in the 3 years before going abroad.The number of grants obtained in the 4-6 years after going abroad was more than that in the 3 years before going abroad.These differences were statistically significant. Conclusions Studying abroad has a beneficial effect on the improvement of clinicians′ scientific research ability.It is reasonable and practical to take the number of SCI articles published as the indicator of short-term changes and the number of funds obtained as the indicator of long-term changes in scientific research ability. Key words: Clinician; Studying abroad; Scientific research ability; Personnel training