Applied health services research: responding to the changing health care environment

Health care in America is changing rapidly. The forces that are reforming our health care system are both numerous and compelling. Americans are requesting access to more affordable health care. At the same time, many Americans want to build upon what is considered the best and most technologically advanced health care system in the world. Especially during economically troubled times, innovative and well-formulated solutions to respond to these fundamental challenges are needed to improve the quality and accessibility of health care. It is essential that policy markers base their health care decisions on sound medical research that specifically examines which aspects of medical care improve patient outcomes.