The Contribution of Health Services Research to Improved Dermatologic Care

Abstract

To translate scientific discovery into improved health, we must study health care itself: ie, how people access health care, costs or other barriers to the provision of good care, and what happens to patients as a result of this care. Health services research (HSR) is the interdisciplinary field that studies health care and its effects. This paper reviews different types of HSR and highlights some dermatologic examples that have resulted in improved health care systems or have helped us understand access to existing systems. The paper also addresses some of the political and systematic challenges for health services research overall, and for individual investigators and program leaders.

The Growth of Clinical Trials and Systematic Reviews in Informing Dermatological Patient Care

“…Organizations such as the James Lind Alliance are pioneering methods to bring such groups together (Eleftheriadou et al, 2011). The final challenge is that of implementing important study findings into clinical practice more rapidly, a major focus for health services research discussed further by Chren (2012) in this issue. Understanding how the results of studies on groups of patients can be better applied to individuals is also a conundrum that might unfold with personalized medicine (Holmes et al, 2009).…”

Ensuring Dermatology’s Future

“…The results from population studies may not be intuitively obvious to the general public, and they are often the source of considerable controversy between the public at large and the scientists who study interventions to improve health (Chren, 2012). Often, the results of many individual studies must be combined to determine whether interventions are effective.…”

Patient-centred health care for people with chronic skin conditions

“…There has been little research on how dermatology outpatient services can deliver effective, accessible care in a way that maximizes patient satisfaction and health outcomes while also being feasible and cost‐effective. The dearth of health service research in dermatology is now beginning to be met . Such research is essential to ensure that scientific knowledge is translated into outcomes that make a difference to patients.…”

“…The dearth of health service research in dermatology is now beginning to be met. 16 Such research is essential to ensure that scientific knowledge is translated into outcomes that make a difference to patients. Applying the evidence on patient-centred care will assist dermatologists and outpatient service providers to plan healthcare delivery which best meets the needs of their patients with psoriasis and other chronic skin conditions.…”