Table 1 Characteristics of the 304 respondents

(n = 129)

(n = 175)

(n = 304)

Age range

   <= 29

15.5

0.6

6.9

   30-39

82.2

31.4

53.0

   40-49

2.3

53.1

31.6

   >= 50

0.0

14.9

8.6

Internal medicine departments

50.4

36.0

42.1

Current participation in clinical research

48.8

82.3

68.1

Past participation in clinical research

53.5

89.1

74.0

Prospective participation in clinical research

61.2

89.7

77.6

Previous training course in clinical research

11.6

18.9

15.8

Do you consider it is necessary for physicians to conduct clinical research?

   yes

96.1

97.1

96.7

Have you ever written research protocol?

   yes

14.0

51.4

35.5

Have you submitted for publication of a manuscript on clinical research?

   yes

24.8

50.9

39.8

Do you know "World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects"?

   I know very well

10.9

28.0

20.7

   I know to some degree

81.4

68.0

73.7

   I don't know

5.4

2.9

3.9