Research
Foreign advertisements for doctors in the SAMJ 2006 - 2010
Abstract
Objective. To establish the trends in foreign advertisements for doctors placed in the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ) from January 2006 to December 2010.
Methods. A retrospective review was conducted of 60 issues of the SAMJ published in the preview years. Printed journals were scanned for foreign advertisements. The findings were compared with a review of 2000 - 2004 in the same journal.
Results. There were 1 176 foreign advertisements placed in the SAMJ in the review period, reducing from 355 in 2006 to 121 in 2010. The countries placing the most advertisements were Australia (n=428, 36.4%), Canada (n=286, 24.3%), New Zealand (n=191, 16.2%) and the UK (n=108, 9.2%). Compared with the earlier findings, there was a reduction in advertisements for the top countries, excepting Australia. The top 4 countries remained the same for the 2 review periods, but the order changed, with Australia superseding the UK.
Conclusion. The number of foreign advertisements placed in the SAMJ declined over the period under review, and there was a change in ranking of the top 4 advertising countries. These findings are discussed from the perspective of global human resources for health initiatives.
Authors' affiliations
Yoswa M Dambisya, Health Systems Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, Sovenga, Limpopo
Malema H Mamabolo, Health Systems Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, Sovenga, Limpopo
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Date published: 2012-06-28
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