OBJECTIVES: SIGAPS is a bibliometric software tool developed in France to identify and analyse Medline-indexed publications produced by researchers. It takes account of the author’s ranking on the paper and the journal’s impact factor. Results are used to assign a financial value to hospital facilities. One of the objectives of the present survey was to assess impact on publishing. METHODS: The DIAzePAM (DIfficulties for Authors to Publish Articles in Medical journals) survey used the electronic address book of the bibliometric unit of the Paris Public Academic Hospitals Organisation (AP-HP), France to address a dedicated 39-item electronic questionnaire. RESULTS: Between 28 May and 15 June 2015, 1191 subjects (female: 55%; <45 years of age: 63%; doctors: 81%, pharmacists: 9%; hospital practitioners: 51%; academics: 25%) anonymously completed the questionnaire (response rate, 17%). 80% of respondents had published at least 1 article in the previous 2 years (40% at least once as 1^st author). The main reasons for publishing were scientific (96%) or reputation (76%); only 17% of respondents reported publishing to obtain SIGAPS points. Impact factor was the determining journal selection criterion (85%). 76% of respondents claimed not publishing enough. Major barriers to publication were lack of time to write (79%) or submit (27%), limited English (40%) or writing skills (32%), and difficulty starting writing (35%). 88% of respondents would appreciate support for English reediting (79%), critical reediting (63%), formatting (52%), writing (41%). This support was expected to save time and increase high impact factor journal submission and acceptance. 56% of respondents thought the financial value of SIGAPS should be used to pay for support. CONCLUSIONS: Although impact factor remains decisive in choice of journal, French researchers do not publish to earn SIGAPS points, possibly because the financial value is not currently clearly allocated back to researchers.