Prevention and control research within a changing health care system

Area of Science:

• Behavioral and social science research
• Cancer prevention and control
• Health care systems

Background:

• The landscape of cancer prevention and control research is influenced by a dynamic healthcare system.
• Healthcare system changes introduce both potential advantages and obstacles for research endeavors.
• Key factors include shifts in provider competition and a strong focus on cost containment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current behavioral and social science research agenda in cancer prevention and control.
• To interpret this agenda within the context of the evolving healthcare system.
• To identify opportunities and barriers presented by these healthcare changes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the current research agenda in behavioral and social sciences for cancer prevention.
• Interpretation of findings within the framework of healthcare system transformations.
• Identification of specific opportunities (e.g., access to populations, data) and barriers (e.g., competition, cost).

Main Results:

• Opportunities for research include access to defined patient populations, healthcare providers, and clinical/financial data.
• Barriers include intense provider competition and a significant emphasis on cost containment within healthcare.
• The evolving system necessitates strategic adjustments to the research agenda.

Conclusions:

• Developing new partnerships with healthcare provider organizations is essential.
• Emphasizing interdisciplinary cooperation and training is critical for advancing research.
• Reassessing underlying behavioral assumptions and models is necessary to adapt to the changing healthcare environment.