Understanding Research in Health Systems

ALLAH IN THE NAME OF THE MOST BENEFICENT THE MOST MERCIFUL

HEALTH SYSTEM RESEARCH Prof. Dr Rab Nawaz

3 Department of Community Medicine PIMC 4-Jul-25

Learning Objectives 4 At the end of this lecture, you will be able to: Define Research & Health System Research List types of Research Describe characteristics of Health System Research Describe building blocks of Health System Discuss key areas of concern in Health System Discuss briefly Research Methodology

What is Research? 5 Research is creating new knowledge. - Neil Armstrong In much of society, research means to investigate something you do not know or understand. Neil Armstrong Being an intellectual creates a lot of questions and no answers.Janis Joplin The process of finding solutions to a problem after a thorough study and analysis (Sekaran, 2006)

6 I believe in innovation and that the way you get innovation is, you fund research and you learn the basic facts. Bill Gates Research is an art aided by skills of: Inquiry Experimental design Data collection Measurement and analysis by interpretation and by presentation Greenfield (1996)

7 Something that people (Researchers/scientists) undertake in order to find things out in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge (Saunders (2009) Collecting information about a particular subject: Merriam-Webster Dictionary Research is the highest form of adoration Pierre Teilhard Systematic inquiry that provides information to guide decision (Cooper & Schindler, 2001)

8 Systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on a subject The organized quest for new knowledge and better understanding "Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue Careful or diligent search

9 Gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge Research is a systematic process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting data in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon about which we are interested or concerned.

Overview of Health System Research (HSR) 10 Concern & interest among people in finding out ways for improving health care , research on resources, organization & health care Health system research concerns with health system and its results provide the bases to managers, policy makers as well as community people to make evidence based decision Department of Community Medicine PIMC 4-Jul-25

What is Health System Research-I 11 Part of research/health research Results closely linked to health system Initially it was known as health service research HSR is a systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data to, improve the health of the community by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of health system as an integral part of the overall process of socioeconomic development

What is Health System Research-II 12 The multidisciplinary field of scientific investigation that studies how social factors, financing systems, organizational structures and processes, health technologies, and personal behaviors affect access to health care, the quality and cost of health care, and ultimately our health and well-being Its research domains are individuals, families, organizations, institutions, communities, and populations. Department of Community Medicine PIMC 4-Jul-25

Types of Research-I 13 Basic research Type of research in which the researcher has careful control of the conditions Generating knowledge, understanding of phenomena/problems that occur in various organization setting (Theoretical Problem) Applied research Type of research that has direct practical value and in which the researcher has limited control over the research setting Solving current problem (Practical Problem).

Types of Research-II 14 Quantitative data are gathered such that they can be quantified and subjected to statistical analyses Qualitative data are gathered such that they can be analyzed through informed judgment

Types of Research-III 15 Experimental research Treatments are given to subjects Cause-and-effect questions Non-experimental research Treatments are not given to subjects Participants are observed as they naturally exist

Objective of HSR 16 To provide health managers at all levels, as well as community members, with the relevant information they need to make decisions on health-related issues and problems they are facing Department of Community Medicine PIMC 4-Jul-25

Characteristics of HSR 17 Focuses on priority problems Action oriented Multi disciplinary & multi sectoral approach Participatory nature Timeliness Simple & short term research designs Cost effectiveness Increased accessibility to HSR results for decision makers Ability to influence decision making Scope of HSR is very wide

Importance of HSR 18 It is needed to- Strengthen the health care Work with real field problems Use variety of research disciplines Apply practical scientific knowledge for improving health care and health status Department of Community Medicine PIMC 4-Jul-25

Health System 19 It is defined as: All the organizations, people, and actions whose primary intent is to promote, restore or maintain health A health system as described by WHO is the sum total of all the organizations, institutions and resources whose primary purpose is to improve health.

Building Blocks of the Health System 20

Key areas of concern in Health System 21

Research Methodology/Steps of HSR 22 Define research problem Execute research project Literature review Analyze & interpret results Review concepts & theories Review previous findings Submit report Generate research question/s Disseminate results Research design & executive plan Seminar/ workshop Publication Development of proposal Department of Community Medicine PIMC 4-Jul-25

Conclusion 23 HSR is a new discipline of research/ health research Health services research, health policy and system research and public health system research are very close terms with health system research Health system research is being influenced by global politics and investments rather than its own philosophy Department of Community Medicine PIMC 4-Jul-25

24 Thank you!

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