Proceedings of a Conference on Health Services Research Issues in The Veterans Administration

Summary

The final paper, presented by Cecil Sheps, is entitled “The Role of Health Services Research in the Veterans Administration-And Beyond.” The paper highlights the nine papers identifying critical issues facing health services research. In addition, Dr. Sheps discusses the role of health services research in the VA. He views it as providing the base for learning what is being done, ascertaining what in fact has been achieved, and determining what needs to be done. The task is obviously difficult; however, the paper concludes that researchers and the VA have the skill, foresight, and dedication to meet the challenge.