Health Services Research

Definition

Health services research is a multidisciplinary field of inquiry, both basic and applied, that examines access to, and the use, costs, quality, delivery, organization, financing, and outcomes of health care services to produce new knowledge about the structure, processes, and effects of health services for individuals and populations. 

Source: Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Health Services Research: Training and Work Force Issues; Thaul S, Lohr KN, Tranquada RE, editors. Health Services Research: Opportunities for an Expanding Field of Inquiry: An Interim Statement. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1994. A WORKING DEFINITION OF HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH.

Resources

Resources specific to scholarship in Health Services Research at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh are listed below:

Institute for Clinical Research Education

Fellows have opportunities to enhance their research skills through the Clinical Translational Science Institute and its integral component, the Institute for Clinical Research Education – which has research services (individual guidance on projects/grants), courses, and funding opportunities. 

Seminars
Center for Research on Health Care Health Services Research Seminar

Held Thursdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. on the third floor of the Parkvale Building, this weekly seminar is the premiere showcase for presenting the results of health services research at the University. Fellows attend to learn of current health service research projects by various investigators. 

Pitt CHATTER

Pitt CHATTER (Child Health Access, ouTcomes, and Equity Research) Seminar, held the secondnd Wednesday of the month from noon to 1:00 p.m., brings together early career researchers at Pitt to share research and build collaborations.

Email laa138@pitt.edu to be added to email list, or follow on twitter @PittCHATTER. 

Pitt Public Health

Pitt Public Health – Department of Health Policy and Management Seminar Series, held Tuesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m., addresses topics relevant for doctoral students interested in health policy and management 

Pitt Nursing

Pitt Nursing Health Services Research and Policy Research Interest Group (9am every other Tuesdays). Led by Dr. Grant Martsolf, Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and UPMC Health System Chair in Nursing Science.  

Pitt Social Work

Pitt School of Social Work Center on Race and Social Problems holds a monthly lecture series with invited local and national speakers. It provides a forum to consider and share knowledge about race in our society and to explore real-world strategies for change. 

Pitt Center for Health Equity

Pitt's Center for Health Equity hosts collaborative writing sessions, talks, and book club events.

Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System

VA Center for Health Equity in Research Program (CHERP) Research in Progress Seminar is a biweekly series to provide CHERP investigators and visiting faculty the opportunity to present research in progress, especially research that addresses challenging methodological issues inherent in health equity research and to facilitate collaborations. 

Pitt Center for Bioethics and Health Law

Pitt Center for Bioethics and Health Law Grand Rounds is a biweekly lecture series. Faculty from Pitt and elsewhere speak on controversial topics in bioethics, research ethics, or health law. 

Center for Women's Health Research and Innovation

Center for Women's Health Research and Innovation (CWHRI) series is a monthly gathering of inter-professional women’s health researchers to discuss projects in progress, funding opportunities, reports on women’s health issues and collaborations on project ideas. 

Important Journals & Conferences

This information can be subspecialty specific. Please discuss with your research mentor(s) regarding which journals and conferences are most suitable to promote your scholarship in basic science research. 

Conferences

  • Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Conference 
  • AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting

Journals

  • JAMA Pediatrics
  • Pediatrics
  • Academic Pediatrics
  • Health Affairs
Grants & Fellowships

Please see our Grants & Fellowships page for this information, as well as University of Pittsburgh and external grants open to most areas of scholarship. Additionally, consider society and foundation grants. 

Recent Fellow Projects

View recent fellow projects.

Faculty Researchers

Please work with your fellowship program directors and Kristin N. Ray, MD, MS, FAAP, Director of Health Systems Improvement, to identify potential research mentors.

Additionally, the following groups have faculty pages: