The use of research in national health policy: an assessment and agenda.

This article provides an assessment of health services research contributions to national health policy. An examination of disciplinary-based research identifies many of the shortcomings of such research and the need for a different structure for relating research to health policy. Some definitions are offered for such terms as "applied research," "disciplinary research," "policy analysis," and "policy research." A policy research model of sequential steps in problem-solving is suggested as a useful approach. A review of the federal role in health policy is developed to set the context for viewing past contributions as well as to suggest a strategy for maximizing the relevance and usefulness of research.