Health services research in Australia: an investigation of its current status

Abstract

Objectives

The objectives of this audit were to document the current status of health services research (HSR) in Australia in terms of inputs and outputs. Inputs were defined as the number of organised centres or groups undertaking HSR, the extent to which HSR was being developed and the funding available for HSR. Outputs were measured as the number of peer-reviewed papers.

Methods

Centres or groups were identified via the membership of the HSRAANZ and a web-based search. Information from annual reports and/or other published sources was used to determine the extent of capacity building and available funding. The tables of contents of 21 journals published over a 10-year period were searched for articles reporting Australian HSR.

Results

Eighteen groups were identified that undertook HSR as their predominant activity, while twelve were involved in HSR as a collaborative activity. No HSR-specific training (in terms of under- or postgraduate degrees) was identified, although more than 400 postgraduate students were being supervised in the university departments where HSR groups were situated. Between 1998 and 2001, more than AU$13 million was awarded for HSR, most of it by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Over the past 10 years, 482 articles about Australian health services have been published in the peer-reviewed journals audited.

Conclusions

Although HSR is widespread in Australia, no specific training appears to be available to build capacity. Overall, HSR is not well-funded especially by organisations outside the NHMRC or Australian Research Council. Thus, it is not surprising that the output of Australian HSR, in terms of peer-reviewed articles, is slight.