The Practice of Health Services Research

A practical examination of the research agenda in health for the 90s. The main areas of research covered are: health needs assessment, quality of life, user participation, the management of change, and the health of specific client groups. Researchers have had to become more sensitive to the policy implications of their work. At the same time, managers require a sound and scientific basis for policy making. This text examines the developing area of the use of social science research and its distinctive contribution to health service planning and management. The methodological aspects of research are discussed and their application to the important health problems of our time are illustrated, using a case study approach. It focuses on the interaction of research findings and policy making at strategic levels. Among the issues discussed are: health needs assessment; quality of life; the management of change; user participation; and the health of specific client groups. These issues have a global relevance and have to be faced by almost all the health systems in the world. This practical guide for researchers, heath planners, managers and students of these discipines sets out both the strengths and weaknessses of the main social science methodologies and their application in the field of health.