Concentration in Health Services Research & Policy
The concentration in Health Services Research and Policy provides a firm grounding in public health principles, research and evaluation methods, policy analysis, and numerous content areas related to health and health services delivery. The program at Johns Hopkins is one of the oldest and most respected of its type in the nation.
The health care systems in the U.S. and other nations are under extreme pressure. Costs are rising, quality and outcomes are not optimal, many vulnerable groups have inadequate access, and programs and technologies are often poorly implemented. There is a great need for doctorally-prepared researchers and policy analysts to address these issues within public and private organizations and to lead health care reform in the U.S. and globally.
In this concentration, students acquire the conceptual and methodological tools needed to conduct research, program evaluation and policy analysis and synthesis to advance the state of knowledge. The curriculum emphasizes the following areas: public and private sector health insurance and financing, organizations for the delivery of health care, methodologies for measuring and improving quality and safety of medical care, methods to measure personal and population health status, methods for assessing the impact of government health care policy on individuals and populations, and comparative effectiveness methods for assessing the impact of technology and treatments on patient outcomes. The concentration places emphasis on special need populations, such as children, older populations, minorities and persons with high burden diseases and disabilities.
The development of research and analysis methods, as well as content knowledge is also stressed. In addition to careers in academia, the program prepares students for leadership careers as health services researchers and health care policy analysts working in public or private agencies or organizations. There are many research opportunities within research centers of the Department and elsewhere within the Johns Hopkins University and Health System. Also the Baltimore-Washington area is the home to the largest concentration of public and private health services research and health care policy analysis organizations in the world. Formal and informal relationship with these agencies, including research practicas, thesis collaborations and part-time employment are encouraged and facilitated.