Health Services Research

Abstract

Overview Health services research (HSR) describes a diverse group of research strategies and fields that seek to evaluate the impact of health care on patients and populations and has been a critical component of understanding the use, outcomes, and costs associated with oncology care since its inception over 100 years ago. In modern times, physicians and researchers often tout “bench to bedside” innovations as the goal of biomedical research. However, patients, physicians, and health care systems in the real world are subjected to a host of factors that impact patient care before, during, and after an intervention occurs at the bedside. Although HSR is a complex and evolving concept, a basic understanding of the key principles of HSR is needed to accurately assess, quantify, and optimize the real‐world impact of progress in oncology today and in the future.