Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Aug;53(4):2615-2632.
doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12751. Epub 2017 Aug 4.

Development of the Learning Health System Researcher Core Competencies

Christopher B Forrest  1 , Francis D Chesley Jr  2 , Michelle L Tregear  3 , Kamila B Mistry  2
Affiliations

Development of the Learning Health System Researcher Core Competencies

Christopher B Forrest et al. Health Serv Res. 2018 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To develop core competencies for learning health system (LHS) researchers to guide the development of training programs.

Data sources/study setting: Data were obtained from literature review, expert interviews, a modified Delphi process, and consensus development meetings.

Study design: The competencies were developed from August to December 2016 using qualitative methods.

Data collection/extraction methods: The literature review formed the basis for the initial draft of a competency domain framework. Key informant semi-structured interviews, a modified Delphi survey, and three expert panel (n = 19 members) consensus development meetings produced the final set of competencies.

Principal findings: The iterative development process yielded seven competency domains: (1) systems science; (2) research questions and standards of scientific evidence; (3) research methods; (4) informatics; (5) ethics of research and implementation in health systems; (6) improvement and implementation science; and (7) engagement, leadership, and research management. A total of 33 core competencies were prioritized across these seven domains. The real-world milieu of LHS research, the embeddedness of the researcher within the health system, and engagement of stakeholders are distinguishing characteristics of this emerging field.

Conclusions: The LHS researcher core competencies can be used to guide the development of learning objectives, evaluation methods, and curricula for training programs.

Keywords: Learning health system; graduate education; health services research; professional competence; stakeholder engagement.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Berwick, D. M. 2009. “What ‘Patient‐Centered’ Should Mean: Confessions of an Extremist.” Health Affairs 28 (4): w555–65. - PubMed
    1. Bindman, A. 2017. “The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Development of a Learning Health Care System.” Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine 177: 909–10. 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.2589 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Cimino, J. J. 2007. “Collect Once, Use Many. Enabling the Reuse of Clinical Data Through Controlled Terminologies.” Journal of AHIMA/American Health Information Management Association 78 (2): 24–9. - PubMed
    1. Crandall, W. V. , Margolis P. A., Kappelman M. D., King E. C., Pratt J. M., Boyle B. M., Duffy L. F., Grunow J. E., Kim S. C., Leibowitz I., Schoen B. T., and Colletti R. B.. 2012. “Improved Outcomes in a Quality Improvement Collaborative for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Pediatrics 129 (4): e1030–41. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Etheredge, L. M. 2007. “A Rapid‐Learning Health System.” Health Affairs 26 (2): w107–18. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources