Health Services Research Methods

Abstract

A political competency for leaders is to effectively articulate the evidence behind management best practices. Evidence-based practice requires special skills from the nurse leader, many of which are found in health services research (HSR) methods. This review presents approaches associated with HSR, which can be used by nurse managers for the benefit of their units. HSR methods reviewed are cost analyses, small area analysis, geographic information systems, use of existing databases, quality of care measures, and risk adjustment. This review examines the kind of evidence various HSR methods provide, as well as examples of their use and resources needed to apply them.

Returning to our roots: The use of geospatial data for nurse‐led community research

“…Nurse leaders could use GIS to map service locations against health needs and to analyze health utilization behaviors (Baker, ). State health departments are a great resource for the use of GIS and of databases to gather geospatial data (Baker, ). Nurses interested in learning about GIS can utilize books on the topic (Cromley & McLafferty, ; Kurland & Gorr, ) or online resources (found here: https://www.gislounge.com/learn-gis-for-free/) such as massive open online courses in GIS; free courses from GIS software developers; open courses offered by universities; or online, fee‐based programs for certificates or degrees.…”

“…Nurse leaders could use GIS to map service locations against health needs and to analyze health utilization behaviors (Baker, 2007). State health departments are a great resource for the use of GIS and of databases to gather geospatial data (Baker, 2007). Nurses interested in learning about GIS can utilize books on the topic (Cromley & McLafferty, 2011;Kurland & Gorr, 2014) or online resources (found here: https://www.gislounge.…”

“…When this search was narrowed to include publications from the community or public health nurses, the search returned 21 results including studies on the built environment, access to care, and health outcomes. There were also several articles advocating nurses to use GIS in their research, the most recent of which was published in 2007 (Baker, ). As some of the first practitioners of public health, it is surprising that nurses are not utilizing geospatial data to conduct community research.…”

“…As was presented by Choi, Afzal, and Sattler (), practicing public health nurses might also use GIS combined with patient‐reported environmental health information to map environmental exposures. Nurse leaders could use GIS to map service locations against health needs and to analyze health utilization behaviors (Baker, ). State health departments are a great resource for the use of GIS and of databases to gather geospatial data (Baker, ).…”