Describe five main characteristics of health system research?

1. Interdisciplinary: Health system research involves the collaboration of various disciplines such as medicine, public health, economics, sociology, and policy analysis. It requires the integration of knowledge and expertise from multiple fields to understand and address complex health system issues.

2. Holistic approach: Health system research takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to studying healthcare systems. It examines various components of the health system, including healthcare delivery, financing, governance, and policy. This approach helps in understanding the interdependencies and interactions between different elements of the system.

3. Evidence-based: Health system research emphasizes the use of rigorous research methods and evidence-based approaches. It relies on empirical data and scientific evidence to inform decision-making and policy development. This ensures that the findings and recommendations are grounded in reliable and valid information.

4. Policy relevance: Health system research aims to generate knowledge that is relevant and applicable to policy and practice. It focuses on addressing real-world challenges and informing policy decisions to improve the performance and outcomes of health systems. The research findings are often used to guide policy development, resource allocation, and healthcare interventions.

5. Systems thinking: Health system research adopts a systems thinking approach, which recognizes that health systems are complex and interconnected. It considers the interactions and relationships between different components of the system, as well as the broader social, economic, and political contexts. This perspective helps in understanding the underlying dynamics and drivers of health system performance and identifying opportunities for improvement.