A Needs Assessment for Data and Methods in Public Health Systems Research

There is widespread agreement that Public Health Systems Research (PHSR) must define itself more clearly as a field, become more scientific and increase training.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded the AcademyHealth Public Health Systems Research (PHSR) Data and Methods Needs Assessment to promote more rigorous PHSR. Conducted in 2009, the assessment included a review of PHSR literature, an online survey of the AcademyHealth PHSR Interest Group (PHSR IG) and semi-structured interviews with PHSR experts.

The literature review examined commentary, research articles, practice articles and books with a strong methodological focus. Questions in the PHSR IG survey asked interest group members to identify core competencies in public health research. AcademyHealth staff interviewed key PHSR stakeholders regarding policy and practice, current methods, and data, training and communication between researchers and policy-makers.

Key Findings:

  • Methodologies used in PHSR include focus groups, longitudinal studies, data synthesis and mathematical models.
  • Few organizations hire personnel specifically to conduct PHSR.

PHSR is a relatively new field of research. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded the first assessment of PHSR data and methods. The assessment included a literature review, survey and interviews with PHSR practitioners.

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  2. 2 A Road Map for Improving the Performance of Performance Measures
  3. 3 The Trade-Off Among Quality, Quantity, and Cost
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  9. 9 The Importance of Transitional Care in Achieving Health Reform
  10. 10 An Early Status Report on the Beacon Communities' Plans for Transformation Via Health Information Technology
  11. 11 A Comparative Study of 11 Local Health Department Organizational Networks
  12. 12 Public Health Performance
  13. 13 A Self-Assessment Process for Accreditation Preparedness
  14. 14 Public Health Delivery Systems
  15. 15 Regionalization in Local Public Health Systems
  16. 16 Public Health Services and Systems Research
  17. 17 A Shot in the Rear, Not a Shot in the Dark
  18. 18 What Predicts Local Public Health Agency Performance Improvement?
  19. 19 Growth of a Scientific Community of Practice
  20. 20 Evolution of Coauthorship in Public Health Services and Systems Research
  21. 21 Resources that May Matter
  22. 22 Evidence Links Increases in Public Health Spending to Declines in Preventable Deaths
  23. 23 Public Health Financial Management Competencies
  24. 24 Decision Science
  25. 25 Public Health Financial Management Needs
  26. 26 Data-Driven Management Strategies in Public Health Collaboratives
  27. 27 Using Geographic Information Systems to Match Local Health Needs with Public Health Services and Programs
  28. 28 Public Health Systems and Services Research
  29. 29 Local Public Health Capacities to Address the Needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations
  30. 30 A Needs Assessment for Data and Methods in Public Health Systems Research
  31. 31 Mapping the Multidisciplinary Field of Public Health Services and Systems Research

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