228107 A profile of the public health systems and services research community using network analysis

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 8:30 AM - 8:50 AM

Jacqueline Merrill, RN, MPH, DNSc , School of Nursing and Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY
Jonathan Keeling, MA, MPhil , Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY
Rosalind Wilson, MSW , Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY
Michael Bales, MPH, PhD , Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY
Public Health Services and Systems Research (PHSSR) is an emerging discipline that examines the organization, financing, and delivery of public health services and their impact on population health. There are indications of explosive growth in the field since 2004. Stakeholders and potential funding agencies need insight into the dynamics involved to meet the emerging needs of this research community.

The study describes PHSSR as a community of practice—the network of connections between people with a shared domain of interest—that is among the most important structures of any scientific field. The goal is to characterize factors influencing composition and growth of the community to help those engaged in PHSSR address issues that will support effective growth of the field. The study applies network analysis to study two aspects of the community. The first is over 2000 individuals identified through their participation in PHSSR-specific meetings and conferences. Data on this group were collected via an online survey. The second is authors of PHSSR publications identified by using novel software for bibliometric network analysis.

The results show how members cluster according to profession, group affiliation, partnerships, assets, and sources of funding. Findings include: a report of key sub groups and their ties to other research communities, institutions, and to public health practice; an analysis of co-author ship to identify research communities and research topic areas that may targeted for outreach; and network visualizations illustrating key findings

A solid basis in empirical evidence is needed to measure and improve public health services and systems, and to inform emerging accreditation and performance standards. To produce such evidence the field of PHSSR must grow and prosper. This study produces evidence and actionable knowledge for stakeholders to manage effective growth of PHSSR and to engage other institutional funders in supporting this emerging community of practice.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain how network analysis can be used as a method for evaluating communities of practice. 2. Describe factors influencing the composition and growth over time of the public health services and systems research community 3. Discuss how findings from a network evaluation may be used to support growth and development of the public health services and systems research community

Keywords: Public Health Research, Infrastructure

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I designed the study and participated in data collection, data analysis and dissemination of results
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4032.0: Translation of Health Administration Theory & Research to Health Administration Practice