[A guide to the critical reflection of health services research studies]

Abstract

Proponents of evidence-based medicine have developed a framework for the critical appraisal of clinical studies. Though this framework is generally accepted, a universal standard for health services research is not yet available. While clinical research evaluates the efficacy and effectiveness of medical interventions, the remit of health services research is to investigate the actual delivery of care in a given health care system. Here, we propose six criteria for the critical appraisal of work published in the field of health services research: the research question, the validity of the study design, the indicators used, the data source, the audience being addressed and the interests behind a study should all be considered when discussing health services research studies. Ideally, health services research should be an integral part of research efforts including basic as well as clinical research.