Formation of rational health care policies, plans, and priorities by politicians and public administrators requires three kinds of support: analytical competence, purposeful information and intelligence systems, and a responsive research and development capability. This article delineates the role of each of these three activities and discusses how they can be most effectively organized within the government framework, the requisite professional skills, and the contributions of the private sector.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
RivlinA. M.Systematic Thinking for Social Action. The Brookings Institution, Washington, D. C., 1971.
2.
Ad Hoc Group on Scientific and Technical Information. Information for a Changing Society: Some Policy Considerations. Organisation for Economic Co–operation and Development, Paris, 1971.
3.
WHO Expert Committee on Health Statistics. Statistical Indicators for the Planning and Evaluation of Public Health Programmes. 14th Report, WHO Technical Report Series, No. 472. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1971.
4.
MainlandD., editor. Health services research, I and II. Milbank Mem Fund Q:44 (no. 3, part 2): 1–279, 1966; (no. 4, part 2): 1–270, 1966.
5.
McLachlanG., editor. Portfolio for Health: The Role and Programme of the Department of Health and Social Security in Health Services Research. (Problems and Progress in Medical Care, 6th series: Essays on Current Research). Oxford University Press, London, 1971.
6.
WilliamsonJ. W.TenneyJ. B.Health Services Research Bibliography, 1972–1973. (DHEW Publication No. (HSM) 72–3034). National Center for Health Services Research and Development, Washington, D.C., 1972.
7.
CochraneA. L.Effectiveness and Efficiency: Random Reflections on Health Services. The Nuffield Provincial Hospitals Trust, London, 1972.
