Health Service Research (HSR) has been defined as “studies that address the planning, distribution, organization, provision, quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and outcome of health care services, with the aim of improving the health care of the public through enhanced clinical and organizational practices and health care and public policy” (Shi, 2008). The objectives of this course are to teach the core knowledge and skills that a health services researcher must have to conduct this type of research. These core components have been adapted from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Health Services Research Core Competencies (2005) and will cover the following areas:
- Theoretical and conceptual knowledge.
- Developing HSR questions.
- Study designs.
- Primary and secondary data collection methods.
- Conceptual models and operational measures.
- Research ethics.
- Data analysis.
- Scientific communication.
- Stakeholder collaboration and knowledge translation
Although the course is described as a 'Health Services Research' methods course it is also broad enough to be a good generalist methods course, particularly for those who are intending to continue on a research path in their studies and careers.