Pattern recognition in health systems research for panel session: 'How can we achieve scientific rigour in health systems research'?
Citation
McPake, B., Blaauw, D. & Sheaff, R. (2009) Pattern recognition in health systems research for panel session: 'How can we achieve scientific rigour in health systems research'?, , , , ,
Abstract
Experimental approaches such as randomised controlled trials have been successful in
identifying and testing medical technologies. There is enthusiasm for use of similar approaches
for health systems policies and programmes. This enthusiasm is a current manifestation of the
attempt to model social science on physical science. It fails to appreciate the social nature of
health system intervention where everything depends on how people interpret and implement
policy, and users respond to new programmes and services. Health systems research needs to
build more effectively on thinking from social science. This paper suggests a model through
which to conceptualise the health systems research problem, identifies some methods that are
consistent with studying its inherent complexity and shows, using a case study, how this
approach can inform policy.