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2008 JULY–AUGUST No. 363
July 30, 2008 [posted]

Introduction to Health Services Research: A Self-Study Course

The e-learning course Introduction to Health Services Research: A Self-Study Course is a free and open set of modules and case studies that students may study as time permits (see Figure 1). This is a self-paced course with no instructor.

The completely revised e-learning course introduces students to health services research - its key issues, its history, the innovators and leaders who contributed to the field's development, and the many key organizations that produce and make health services research accessible to researchers, librarians and the public.

To get the most out of the course, students should have a basic knowledge of bibliographic database searching, especially of the MEDLINE®/PubMed®database. Other than that, only an interest in finding and/or providing quality information is needed.

It is recommended that students begin with the introductory module, "Module 1: What is Health Services Research?," and work their way through the remaining six modules in order. Students who are already knowledgeable about health services research may wish to focus on the five case studies.

Students will gain skills that will aid them in searching for information in this multi-disciplinary field and will be introduced to several of the key study types that create the foundation of research methodology used by health services researchers.

The e-learning course was adapted into a true Web-based format in 2007 for the National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology of the National Library of Medicine® by Laura Larsson, MLS. She updated its content at the same time.

Upon completion of the class, please take a moment to complete the ten-question evaluation. NLM will use this information to improve this and future online learning efforts.



By Catherine Selden
National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology

Selden C. Introduction to Health Services Research: A Self-Study Course. NLM Tech Bull. Jul-Aug:(363):e10

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