Introduction to Health Services Research MSOP1016 Research Methods

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of Health Services Research (HSR)?

Exploring patient care delivery methods (correct)

Studying the biology of diseases

Developing new pharmaceutical drugs

Analyzing historical healthcare trends

Which of the following is NOT an aim of research as mentioned in the text?

Creating or refining knowledge/information

Finding better ways of providing patient care

Developing new theories

Exploring philosophical questions (correct)

How can scientific research be described based on the provided text?

It focuses solely on theoretical discussions

It involves only data collection without any analysis

It is limited to observing phenomena without any interpretations

It generates explanations, predictions, and conclusions (correct)

In Health Services Research, what does HSR stand for?

Health Services Research Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the purpose of Pharmacy Practice Research within Health Services Research?

Exploring pharmacy management techniques Signup and view all the answers

What is the essential characteristic of a research question in a specific field according to the text?

Specific focus on a particular area or problem Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of outcomes that are usually measured in a service evaluation?

Patient satisfaction with the service Signup and view all the answers

In the context of pharmacy service evaluation, what do qualitative methods focus on?

Understanding underlying reasons and motivations Signup and view all the answers

Which book is cited as a key reference for conducting pharmacy practice research projects?

Research Methods in Pharmacy Practice by Austin & Sutton Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of 'Research Methods in Pharmacy Practice' by Austin & Sutton?

Conducting pharmacy service evaluations Signup and view all the answers

What is a common aspect measured in pharmacy service evaluation?

Increased awareness of pharmacist's role Signup and view all the answers

What is an important parameter often considered when evaluating services delivered within community pharmacy?

$p$ value Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of Health Services Research?

Promoting safe and effective medicines use Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an aim of Health Services Research mentioned in the text?

Developing new health technologies Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle underpinning Quantitative methods in research?

Reproducibility Signup and view all the answers

In Health Services Research, what do Qualitative methods aim to understand?

Why and how questions Signup and view all the answers

Which type of study aims to investigate a topic from the perspective of participants and issues important to them?

Qualitative studies Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of evaluation in healthcare according to the text?

To assess delivery of services Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves counting, measuring, and quantifying phenomena under investigation?

Quantitative methods Signup and view all the answers

'Validity' in quantitative research refers to:

'Trueness' and accuracy of data Signup and view all the answers

'Generalisability' in quantitative research refers to:

'Applicability' of findings Signup and view all the answers

'Trustworthiness' in qualitative research refers to:

'Depth' and 'richness' of data Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of a service evaluation in the context of pharmacy services?

To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, efficiency, and acceptability of services Signup and view all the answers

Which method can be used to determine the effectiveness of a service by comparing outcomes before and after implementation?

Before and after comparisons Signup and view all the answers

What type of study design may be involved in evaluating pharmacy services?

Qualitative, quantitative, or both Signup and view all the answers

In a service evaluation, what is the purpose of collecting patient experience outcomes?

To measure patient satisfaction Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a feasibility study from a broader evaluation in pharmacy services?

A feasibility study assesses specific features in selected settings, while broader evaluations look at overall effectiveness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between research and service evaluation in the context of pharmacy services?

Research addresses knowledge gaps, while service evaluation aims to judge the worth of specific services. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method used to gather views of service users in pharmacy service evaluations?

Surveys/questionnaires Signup and view all the answers

What may be an outcome measured in a pharmacy service evaluation related to costs?

Direct costs vs. cost savings Signup and view all the answers

Which approach could be used to assess the acceptability of a new pharmacy service among patients?

Conducting surveys/questionnaires with service users Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of an audit related to pharmacy services?

Comparing data against predefined standards/guidelines Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research, Audit, and Service Evaluation

Research seeks generalizable results to address a knowledge gap.
Audit compares data against predefined standards and/or guidelines (e.g., NICE, CQC).
Service evaluation aims to demonstrate the merit or worth of a specific service to aid decision-making.
All three may employ one or more research methods – qualitative, quantitative, or both.

Service Evaluation

Aims to demonstrate whether new or existing services are feasible, effective, efficient, equitable, or acceptable to service users.
Questions addressed in a service evaluation include:
- What works or does not work?
- Has the desired change or effect been achieved?
- What patient outcomes have improved as a result of the new service?
- What is the experience of service users?
- Does the service meet the needs of the population?
- Is the service cost-effective or affordable?

Methods Used in Service Evaluation

May involve multiple study designs – qualitative, quantitative, or both.
Surveys/questionnaires are commonly used to gather views of service users (e.g., patients, HCPs).
Feasibility study: a small-scale study that aims to assess specific features of a service in a few selected settings (e.g., to assess acceptability to patients).

Example of Service Evaluation

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a new stop smoking service in a community pharmacy.
Objectives:
- Determine patient/public opinion of the stop smoking service.
- Determine the number of people who have stopped smoking.
- Identify the costs of delivering the stop smoking service.

Outcomes in Service Evaluation

A combination of factors can help provide a holistic picture of the service.
Examples of outcomes:
- Patient experience outcomes: e.g., patient satisfaction.
- Process outcomes: e.g., waiting time, time to implement the intervention.
- Clinical outcomes: e.g., % adherence, number and nature of minor ailments managed.
- Cost-related outcomes: e.g., direct costs, cost savings.

Determining Effectiveness

Methods for determining effectiveness:
- Before and after comparisons: collect baseline data before the service or intervention, and then compare with data after the service.
- Control group comparison: compare outcomes of those using the service with those of people not using the service.
- Compare results with national benchmarks (e.g., data from NHS Digital, ONS).

Health Services Research

Aims to promote safe and effective medicines use to achieve better patient outcomes.
Examines how people access and use healthcare, and the impact on patients' health and wellbeing (outcomes).
Pharmacy practice research is a branch of HSR, considering wider healthcare provision and using similar approaches/methods.

Research Methods

Quantitative methods:
- Involve counting, measuring, and quantifying phenomena.
- Aim to test a specific, pre-defined hypothesis.
- Statistics are used to analyze data and draw conclusions.
- May evaluate frequencies of events, proportions of people with certain views, or differences between variables.
Qualitative methods:
- Aim to understand people's experiences about a particular phenomenon.
- Generate hypotheses or clues and explanations about events or phenomena.
- Use an inductive approach, identifying themes, patterns, or main issues that emerge from the data.
- Validity lies in the 'trustworthiness', 'richness', and 'depth' of qualitative data.