title: Analysis of health policy--principles and practice.
abstract: Health policy analysis covers a wide range of activities: from university-based research to practical activities carried out by bureaucrats and professionals working within the health system with independent unit or think tanks for health policy analysis as a third alternative. A key distinction is between analysis of policy and analysis for policy, which has eight key features: problem-centered; bias to facts and data; multidisciplinary; emphasis on feasibility; uses techniques and political awareness; quantitative and qualitative analysis; role of values; and timing of analysis. Decision-making is not a rational, logical process in which information and research determine policy outcomes, but a highly political process in which power and interest are the main driving forces. Health policy analyses can make a small contribution. Communication and salesmanship must go hand in hand with good academic techniques if research is to influence policy.
authors.affiliation: King's Fund College, King Edward's Hospital Fund for London, England.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ham
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011050:Policy Making; D011057:Politics; D011340:Problem Solving; D012945:Social Values; D006113:United Kingdom