A Record of Research
David Katerndahl, M.D.

A primary mission of the TAFP Foundation is the support of family medicine research. A decade ago, the foundation created its Research Grants Committee and allocated funds to support research projects in Texas.

The committee established four areas of priority for support: manpower studies, clinical outcomes studies, ambulatory care studies and other discipline-related studies. In addition, the committee established procedures for grant proposal submission and for joint funding of projects with the AAFP Foundation.
To date, the TAFP Foundation has supported 32 research projects for a total of $100,000. These 32 studies were conducted by 27 different principal investigators.

Table 1 presents the breakdown of support for the four priority areas. Other than ambulatory care, the priority areas have received similar attention in terms of numbers of studies and funding. Discipline-related research has focused on medical education and the status of research within the discipline. However, the priority area receiving over 35 percent of the funding is that of ambulatory care. Of the 12 studies funded, three focused on obstetrics, geriatrics and family violence each.

 TABLE 1. Support for Research
Area Of Priority Number Of Studies Funding ($)
Manpower 7 22,390
Clinical Outcomes 6  25,399
Ambulatory Care 12 33,445

Obstetrics

Geriatrics

Family Violence

Other Ambulatory Care

3

3

3

3
Other 7 18,134

Medical Education

Research In FP

5

2
Total 32 99,368
  

Currently, the foundation is supporting six ongoing studies (see Table 2). These studies include a variety of methodologies from surveys to randomized trials.

In conclusion, in less than a decade the TAFP Foundation has supported 32 studies on a variety of relevant topics for $100,000. Not only are the studies diverse in focus and design, but also they represent the efforts of a diverse set of investigators. The Foundation is committed to continuing this legacy of inquiry to improve the health of all Texans.

TABLE 2. Currently Supported Projects

"Antibiotic Prescribing Behavior in Acute Bronchitis"

"Attitudes Towards Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide in Family Practice Residents in Texas"

"Factors Contributing to Selection of Family Practice as a Career Choice by Osteopathic Medical Students"

"Randomized Clinical Trial of Change in Practitioner Knowledge and Behavior Based on Research Publication Characteristics"

"Relationship Between Spousal Abuse and Spirituality"

"Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Closer Look at Texas Family Physicians' Training, Competence and Confidence"

                  

TAFP Foundation Chocolate Extravaganza, auction nets $7,620

This year, the TAFP Foundation took a different approach to their fundraiser held at Annual Session. With the strolling mariachi on hand, the Chocolate Extravaganza and Silent Auction was a huge success. About 170 people attended the event, raising $2,550 in ticket sales alone.  Two $2,500 grants were received from AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline to offset the expenses. A silent auction during the festivities brought in $3,900 making the total profit $7620 after expenses.

Special thanks goes to  AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline for their generous grants in support of this activity. The Foundation would also like to thank all the donors to the auction including President and Mrs. George Bush, Pavestone, Tucker Rocky, Nolan Ryan, James Avery Craftsman, County Line Restaurant, Speaker Pete Laney, Elizabeth and Sam A. Nixon, M.D., Richard Schacht and Kim Maroney, M.D., University of Texas Football, Westin, Wyndham, Moody Gardens Hotel, Bryan/College Station CVB, Marriott, Hyatt, Omni, Hotel Sofitel and Doubletree.

Thank you also to these winning bidders: Tim McIntyre, M.D., Lanny Copeland, M.D., Dallas Coate, M.D., Susan Siy, Linda Siy, M.D., Donald Niņo, M.D., Scott Wyrick, M.D., Thomas Mueller, M.D., Paul and Erica W. Swegler, M.D., and Teddy and Henry Boehm, M.D.

The proceeds from this event and all other Foundation fund raisers are used to encourage and assist medical students and residents to enter the rewarding specialty of family medicine; help raise funds for family practice research; and help cover travel expenses for medical students and residents to attend TAFP/AAFP meetings.