CNPq-supported medical researchers: a comparative study of research areas.

Objective: To assess the profile and scientific output of medical researchers supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) grants.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Lattes curricula of 411 medical researchers with active grants for the 2006–2008 period. The variables of interest were gender, institutional affiliation, scientific output, and advisership of undergraduate research fellows and master’s and doctoral candidates.

Results: Researchers were predominantly male (68%) and recipients of category 2 grants (55.7%). Four Brazilian states (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, and Minas Gerais) accounted for 90% of all researchers. Eight institutions accounted for roughly 80% of researchers in the sample, particularly USP (30.7%) and UNIFESP (17%). The study identified 30 areas of expertise for researchers. Median scientific output was 4.13 published articles per year (interquartile range, IQ, 2.9–5.8), or 2.23 per year (IQ, 1.4–3.2) after adjusting for articles published in Web of Science-indexed journals. The most productive areas in terms of indexed articles were Neuroscience (3.16 articles/year; IQ, 1.8–4.7) and Psychiatry (2.92; IQ, 1.73–4.5).

Conclusion: Medical researchers are concentrated in the Southeast region of Brazil. The scientific output of most Brazilian researchers has increased over the past five years. An understanding of the profile of medical researchers in the country may aid development of effective strategies for qualitative improvement of scientific output.