title: The use of research in national health policy: an assessment and agenda.
abstract: This article provides an assessment of health services research contributions to national health policy. An examination of disciplinary-based research identifies many of the shortcomings of such research and the need for a different structure for relating research to health policy. Some definitions are offered for such terms as "applied research," "disciplinary research," "policy analysis," and "policy research." A policy research model of sequential steps in problem-solving is suggested as a useful approach. A review of the federal role in health policy is developed to set the context for viewing past contributions as well as to suggest a strategy for maximizing the relevance and usefulness of research.
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005380:Financing, Government; D006077:Government Agencies; D006275:Health Facility Planning; D006285:Health Planning; D006296:Health Services; D006801:Humans; D008483:Medical Assistance; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D011340:Problem Solving; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012106:Research; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012940:Social Problems; D012942:Social Sciences; D014481:United States