Individual and institutional factors linked to high research productivity among physicians in the Arab Gulf region: implications for healthcare policy

Introduction Although physicians’ research productivity contributes to evidence-based practice and health-system learning, productivity is uneven, and little is known about individual-level traits linked with high output in Arab Gulf settings. This study examined physician characteristics associated with higher scientific publication productivity in Bahrain. Methods Cross-sectional study of practicing physicians in Bahrain across primary and secondary healthcare and government/private sectors. Data included age, gender, years of experience, career level, sector and care setting, and lifetime number of peer-reviewed publications. High productivity was defined as ≥5 publications. Associations were examined using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression (SPSS v30.0). Results In total, 239 physicians were responded to the survey (mean age 37.58 ± 11.15 years; 66.5% female; 75.3% government sector; 71.1% secondary care). One in five (≈20%) reported ≥5 publications, while about one-third had none. In univariate analyses, higher productivity was associated with male gender, age ≥40 years, ≥15 years’ experience, advanced career level, and secondary practice (all p ≤ 0.001). In multivariable modelling, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were produced for employment in secondary healthcare remained strongly associated with high productivity (OR 7.364, 95% CI 1.992, 27.225; p = 0.003). Employment in the private sector was associated with lower odds compared with government sector (OR 0.634, 95% CI 0.259, 1.553; p = 0.319). Female gender showed a trend toward lower odds compared to their male counterparts (OR 0.449, 95% CI 0.197, 1.024; p = 0.057). Discussion Research productivity among physicians in Bahrain is concentrated in a small, predominantly male, at advanced career stages and hospital-based doctors, suggesting structural and career-stage inequities in research engagement. An urgent need exists within the healthcare system for a more inclusive research culture that spans primary and secondary healthcare, government and private sectors, and male and female physicians alike.