[History of Health Services Research Project: Interview with Kerr White.]

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Epidemiology
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Kerr L. White (1917-2014) was a pioneer in health services research.
• He critically examined the fragmentation of healthcare research, clinical practice, and public health.
• White emphasized the societal responsibility for equitable healthcare resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a Spanish translation of a 1998 interview with Kerr L. White.
• To reintroduce White's undercited contributions to health literature.
• To disseminate the relevance of his thoughts on healthcare systems and population health.

Main Methods:

• Presentation of a translated interview.
• Analysis of White's critical perspectives on healthcare.
• Highlighting his work on healthcare services research.

Main Results:

• White critiqued the separation of research, clinical practice, and public health.
• He stressed the need for a population perspective in epidemiology and healthcare systems.
• His work addressed the lack of social and economic impact evaluation and the dehumanization of care.

Conclusions:

• Kerr L. White's insights remain relevant for improving healthcare systems and population health.
• Integrating research, practice, and policy is crucial for effective healthcare.
• A population perspective and evaluation of social impact are essential for ethical and effective healthcare.