Abstract
Background
Prior health services research (HSR) agendas for children have been published, but
major ones are now over 15 years old and do not reflect augmented understanding of
the drivers and determinants of children's health; recent changes in the organization,
financing, and delivery of health care; a growing emphasis on population health; and
major demographic shifts in the population. A policy-relevant research agenda that
integrates knowledge gained over the past 2 decades is essential to guide future child
HSR (CHSR). We sought to develop and disseminate a robust, domestically focused, policy-oriented
CHSR agenda.
Methods
The new CHSR agenda was developed through a series of consultations with leaders in
CHSR and related fields. After each round of consultation, the authors synthesized
the previous experts' guidance to help inform subsequent discussions. The multistep
process in generation of the agenda included identification of major policy-relevant
research domains and specification of high-value research questions for each domain.
Stakeholders represented in the discussions included those with expertise in child
and family advocacy, adult health, population health, community development, racial
and ethnic disparities, women's health, health economics, and government research
funders and programs.
Results
In total, 180 individuals were consulted in developing the research agenda. Six priority
domains were identified for future research, including both enduring and emerging
emphases: 1) framing children's health issues so that they are compelling to policy-makers;
2) addressing poverty and other social determinants of child health and wellbeing;
3) promoting equity in population health and health care; 4) preventing, diagnosing,
and treating high priority health conditions in children; 5) strengthening performance
of the health care system; and 6) enhancing the CHSR enterprise. Within these 6 domains,
40 specific topics were identified as the most pertinent for future research. Three
overarching and crosscutting themes that affect research across the domains were also
noted: the need for syntheses to build on the current, and sometimes extensive, evidence
base to avoid duplication; the interrelated nature of the domains, which could lead
to synergies in research; and the need for multidisciplinary collaborations in conducting
research because research studies will look beyond the health sector.
Conclusions
The priorities presented in the agenda are policy-oriented and include a greater emphasis
on how findings are framed and communicated to support action. We expect that the
agenda will be useful for immediate uptake by investigators and research funders.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 27, 2017
Accepted:
April 17,
2017
Received:
March 7,
2016
Footnotes
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 by Academic Pediatric Association
