Health-services research and innovations in health-care delivery. Does research make a difference?

Members of the Institute of Medicine were asked to list the most important innovations in the health-care system for the past quarter century, and to identify health-services researchers who might be recognized by some prize or award. There was considerable difficulty in identifying such innovations. A large number of investigators were named as health-services researchers deserving commendation, but only a few received more than two or three votes. There was little evidence of linkage between the innovations described and the work for which investigators were nominated for recognition. There is little reason to expect such research to produce major alterations in the system, since these alterations are linked to changes in the values and expectations of society. However, the research may of some value in documenting the effects (or lack thereof) of proposed changes and also promote if not create change.