Introduction: Investigation in biomedicine carried out in Spain presently has a good level and has evolved positively in the last two decades. In order to know the research situation in psychiatry, the bibliometric study was used as a method of approach to the mentioned analysis.
Objectives: To identify the Spanish scientific production in psychiatry during the last decade, its repercussion worldwide and to compare it to other countries of our surroundings.
Method: Bibliographical revision of the psychiatric magazines with greater impact factor at present. Thematic magazines of psychiatry and other areas (child and adolescent psychiatry and the addictions) are reviewed. The articles of Spanish authors were analyzed and compared with other countries of the surroundings (Germany, France, Holland, Italy and Sweden). The data obtained are linked with the economic data of the countries in question, it being possible to obtain how much each one of the investigations in the diverse countries cost per citizen.
Results: Globally, the countries analyzed have increased their international scientific production and, specifically, Spain has doubled its scientific activity in psychiatry.
Conclusions: Investigation in psychiatry in Spain is represented in publications of greater impact factor of the speciality and is comparable in volume to the other countries of our surroundings.