Content analysis and publication outcomes of projects by public health medicine registrars

Objective: To examine the content of the project work of public health medi cine registrars in New Zealand and identify publication outcomes. Method: All projects submitted during 1987-97 were examined and key aspects captured on a database. Literature searches using Medline, Health Star, in dex New Zealand and the NZ National Library catalogue were undertaken. Results: A total of 355 registrar projects produced by 91 registrars were i dentified. Only 29% of these projects were associated with one or more publ ications that could be identified in electronic databases commonly availabl e to New Zealanders and only 16% of them were associated with an article in the Medline-indexed literature. A possible cause for concern is the relati vely small amount of project work (6% of projects) that was directly on Mao ri and/or Pacific Peoples' health. There also appears to be a relative lack of project work on chronic disease epidemiology and control, tobacco contr ol and the socio-economic determinants of health. Conclusions: Given the relatively high quality of registrar project work, a publication rate of only 29% is probably suboptimal. The subject matter of registrar projects appears to infrequently address certain major areas of public health importance including Maori and Pacific Peoples' health. Impli cations: Consideration should be given to addressing these issues by those involved in public health medicine training.