A programme for boosting medical research in North Norway, 1992-2001]

Goals for the programme were recruitment of specialists and lowering turnover among them, generating new knowledge, quality assurance and professional development. Close to NOK 25 million were spent on this research programme in regional non-university hospitals over the 1992-2001 period.78 projects were funded, 77 responded to our questionnaire.36 (47%) of respondents claim to have completed their projects, 5 (7%) have not, whereas 36 (47%) have ongoing projects. 70% of the projects have led to publications, 39% as part of doctoral theses, 61% have been done locally and 43 % also had other funding. In relation to the aims of the programme, those responding were very positive and 75 out of 77 suggested that a low-threshold, supportive programme of this type should be continued.We conclude that the programme has had positive effects beyond the generation of new knowledge.