A Conceptual Background for Research and Development in Medicine

Abstract

This paper attempts to establish a background against which the balance between basic and applied research and the mechanisms needed for effective research and development can be considered. It examines the nature of the medical task in the light of the requirements for health and of the contribution of medical science and technology to past improvements. The author concludes that conceptualization of the medical task has hitherto been inadequate and has led to deficiencies in the approach to both medical science and medical services. The needs of research and development are therefore unlikely to be met fully by strengthening the traditional research framework, or by investigation of problems thrown up by the day–to–day experience of the executive government department. Against this background the paper considers briefly the mechanism of research and development. It suggests that at the highest level, all problems of medical research and development should be examined together.