Jones T, Hanney S, Buxton M, Burns T "What British psychiatrists read - Questionnaire survey of journal usage among clinicians" BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 185: 251-257 SEP 2004

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Addresses: TERESA JONES:  teresa.jones at brunel.ac.uk

Title: What British psychiatrists read - Questionnaire survey of journal
usage among clinicians

Author(s): Jones T, Hanney S, Buxton M, Burns T

Source: BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 185: 251-257 SEP 2004

Document Type: Article    Language: English
Cited References: 17      Times Cited: 0

Abstract:
Background The role of journals in disseminating research to clinicians is
increasingly debated. Current measures of esteem for journals (e.g. impact
factors) may not indicate clinical penetration.

Aims To assess the perceived importance of different mental health journals
to psychiatrists' clinical practice and compare this with impact factors.

Method Random samples of psychiatrists providing child and adolescent,
adults of working age and old age services chose up to ten journals read or
consulted with regard to their clinical work, ranking the top three. For
these journals, comparisons were made with impact factors and importance as
outlets for UK psychiatry research.

Results A total of 560 questionnaires were completed (47%). Two membership
journals (the British journal of Psychiatry and the BMJ) were most read and
highest ranked. Associations between impact factors, clinicians' ratings and
importance as outlets for psychiatry papers varied.

Conclusions The results could lead to reconsideration of the importance of
some journals. Academic assessments of the status of journals should not be
assumed to reflect their influence on clinicians.

Declaration of interest T.B. is on the editorial board of the British
journal of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine. The National Health
Service Executive, London, funded the study.

Addresses: Jones T (reprint author), Brunel Univ, Hlth Econ Res Grp,
Uxbridge, Middx UB8 3PH England
Brunel Univ, Hlth Econ Res Grp, Uxbridge, Middx UB8 3PH England
Univ Oxford, Warneford Hosp, Dept Psychiat, Oxford, England

E-mail Addresses: teresa.jones at brunel.ac.uk

Publisher: ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS, BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 17
BELGRAVE SQUARE, LONDON SW1X 8PG, ENGLAND

IDS Number: 853IC
ISSN: 0007-1250

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