Health Services Research

Health services research is the study of health care delivery and utilization. The focus is on systems of care, rather than the individual patient. The goal is to facilitate optimal health care delivery strategies, which in turn will improve efficiency, equity, cost-effectiveness and satisfaction with health care. 

Examples of health services research underway at Children's Research Institute include:

• Studies of health disparities in access to and utilization of dental health services by children.
• Studies of the relationship between quality of primary care and emergency department utilization.
• Study of outcomes of care in pediatric trauma centers.
• A study of the effects of bar coding technology on medication errors, workflow and working conditions.

Health services research informs decisions about delivery of care in Children's Hospital and Health System, and has implications for health care nationwide.