Health services research definition

Health services research (HSR) is a relatively new and evolving field. As the organization and financing of healthcare has changed, the need for information about the type and level of care and the effectiveness and quality of care provided in the healthcare system has increased. This chapter provides a definition of HSR, a historical perspective of the development of-the field and the relationship between HSR and public health policy, and a discussion of the profession of pharmacy and its relationship to HSR. The chapter concludes by highlighting some of the institutions that commonly fund HSR and journals that publish manuscripts on HSR topics. 

Most fields of research can be identified by the academic degree of the investigators in that area of research. However, health services researchers are identified more by the work than by the particular degree of the investigator. This diversity of degrees reflects the many disciplines that work in the field. As seen in Fig. 1, many disciplines may be involved in a given HSR project, making it difficult to succinctly define the field of HSR. In 1995, the Institute of Medicine (lOM) developed a comprehensive definition that characterized HSR as a... 

It is difficult to obtain marijuana-specific data from DAWN information, since up to four different substances can be recorded for each ED episode. And because a drug-related visit to an ED can have multiple drug mentions, not every reported substance may be, by itself, the cause of the medical emergency. Until DAWN data can provide more marijuana-specific information, many feel that policymakers cannot draw definitive conclusions about the consequences of marijuana use from these reports. DAWN researchers acknowledge this limitation of their data. DAWN, like NHSDA, is directed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

We do not definitely know if 1,4-dichlorobenzene plays a role in the development of cancer. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that 1,4-di chlorobenzene may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen in humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (lARC) has determined that 1,4-dichlorobenzene is possibly carcinogenic to humans. The EPA has determined that 1,4-di chlorobenzene is a possible human carcinogen. 

For the pharma-industry, the definition might be around the identification of a new product to promote at a time when pressures on margins and difficulties in research and development spell out an uncertain future. For health providers it might be a management-based approach to what has been traditionally a clinical-based service—and that spells erosion of power and influence. For politicians it can mean decoupling from the traditional path of healthcare delivery, spelling out patients worries, voter concerns, and re-election uncertainty. 

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