Health services research is a multidisciplinary scientific endeavor that studies and generates knowledge to facilitate improved translation of medical discoveries into practice to improve the health of patients and the public. Health services research seeks to identify the most effective ways to organize, manage, finance and deliver high quality care (Agency for Health Research and Quality, 2002; AcademyHealth, n.d.). This, in turn, requires scientific understanding of behavioral, psychological, structural, organizational, social and political factors that affect access to and effective and efficient delivery of quality, cost-effective healthcare to improve quantity and quality of life (Donabedian, 1980). Health services research examines individual, family, organizational, institutional, community and population level factors that affect health behaviors and outcomes. Grounded in theory, the goal of health services research is to generate knowledge to inform and guide decision makers and those responsible for delivering healthcare. Thus, health services research examines the trade-offs among healthcare benefits, risks and costs; factors influencing access to and adoption of medical and healthcare interventions; and the impact of alternative care strategies on a broad range of health outcomes, including morbidity, mortality and quality of life. The goal is to inform clinicians, institutions and systems to improve the quality of the medical care they provide and, thereby, improve patient care and enhance individual health and the health of the public.
This chapter presents a broad overview of some of the central components of health services and policy research. Inherently multidisciplinary, health services research incorporates perspectives, theories, knowledge and research methods of a broad range of clinical, social, behavioral and management sciences, including clinical medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, economics, political science, communication, psychology, public health, operations research, informatics, finance and management. Thus, this chapter examines health services research through an overview of broad problem areas.
Clinical Research Applications of Health Disparities Science in Community Settings
Irene Dankwa-Mullan, Kyu Bak Louis Rhee, in Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (Third Edition), 2012
Health Services Research
Health services or health systems research has been defined broadly as that which is ultimately concerned with improving the health of a community by enhancing the provision, efficiency, and effectiveness of health services,Health services research is a multidisciplinary scientific endeavor that studies and generates knowledge to facilitate improved translation of medical discoveries into practice to improve the health of patients and the public. Health services research seeks to identify the most effective ways to organize, manage, finance and deliver high quality care (Agency for Health Research and Quality, 2002; AcademyHealth, n.d.). This, in turn, requires scientific understanding of behavioral, psychological, structural, organizational, social and political factors that affect access to and effective and efficient delivery of quality, cost-effective healthcare to improve quantity and quality of life (Donabedian, 1980). Health services research examines individual, family, organizational, institutional, community and population level factors that affect health behaviors and outcomes. Grounded in theory, the goal of health services research is to generate knowledge to inform and guide decision makers and those responsible for delivering healthcare. Thus, health services research example of Health services research is a multidisciplinary scientific endeavor that studies and generates knowledge to facilitate improved translation of medical discoveries into practice to improve the health of patients and the public.
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