[Which measures can increase research activity at Norwegian hospitals?].

Background: Less medical research is carried out in Norway than in the other Nordic countries. In order to improve this situation, clinical research units have been established at the university hospitals. However, factors other than those remedied by such measures are known to hinder clinical research. We wanted to explore potential researchers' views on what factors are keeping them from doing research or increasing their research activity.

Material And Methods: Questionnaires were sent to all physicians and psychologists at the University Hospital of Tromsø. They included questions about research background, ongoing research projects, and factors hindering research.

Results: The questionnaire was answered by 289 physicians and psychologists, a response rate of 74%. 38% were engaged in ongoing research projects. 81% responded that lack of time due to clinical work prevented them from doing research or increasing their research activity. 50% were hindered by factors that may be remedied by the clinical research units, but only 6% by such factors alone.

Interpretation: Establishing clinical research units is a necessary, but not sufficient precondition for increasing research activity at the University Hospital of Tromsø. Lack of time is experienced as the most important factor hindering research; little improvement can be expected if this problem is not addressed.