The Health Foundation is an independent charity working to continuously improve the quality of heatlhcare in the UK

View our current research projects View completed research projects

Research

Research and development (R&D) is central to the overall work of the Health Foundation. Evidence is at the heart of everything we do. In 2009 we launched a comprehensive and ambitious R&D programme which places an even stronger emphasis on research. It aims to make sure our research has a greater impact on policy and practice.

Our research covers a broad approach of systematic reviews, original research and case studies to explore what works to improve the quality of care.

A-Z of all our current research projects
 
 
 

Changing Relationships

Best evidence review
Changing Relationships is a rapid evidence assessment of the international literature on how the evolving interface between patients and those providing healthcare services is leading to improvements in the quality of care. The review will explore the concepts around “changing relationships” and ask what works to improve quality.

Helping People Make Shared Decisions

Best evidence review
Helping People Make Shared Decisions is a rapid evidence assessment of the international literature on how shared decision making can lead to improvements in the quality of healthcare.

Journey to safety

Original research
Journey to Safety is a five-year research programme (2006–2011), supporting Professor Charles Vincent and colleagues from Imperial College London at the Imperial Centre for Patient Safety and Service Quality (CPSSQ), examining how to improve the safety of an entire healthcare organisation.

Learning communities

This initiative focuses on the role of learning communities in incorporating improvement science into quality improvement programmes.

Lining up: An ethnographic study of interventions to reduce central line infections

Original research
Research into the behavioural and cultural reasons that affect the success of major safety interventions designed to reduce central venous catheter blood stream infections.

Philosophical issues in the co-production of health

Original research
This research explores whether insights from contemporary philosophy can contribute towards a better understanding of ideas that currently feature as ‘good things’ around changing healthcare relationships, but that are variously and often only vaguely conceptualised. This project focuses on exploring the concept of co-producing of health.

Safety cases

Best evidence review
A safety case is a valuable tool for bringing about a systematic approach to safety and for providing a record of management’s commitment to safety. We have commissioned a group of researchers, lead by Warwick University to conduct pragmatic rapid reviews on the use of safety cases in safety-critical industries.

The Commission on Generalism

The Health Foundation and Royal College of General Practioners (RCGP) have launched a Commission on Generalism which will look at the contribution of medical generalism and the role of the generalist in today's healthcare system.

The role of hospital boards in assuring quality performance

Original research
Building on a study conducted in the US, we are examining the role played by hospital boards of directors in healthcare quality.

The role of peer review in improving hospital quality

Original research
This research will examine how peer review of hospital services might work and cost to implement in a reconfigured NHS. The research will also explore how peer review can assess care integration and the entire patient pathway. 

Value for money in healthcare - Health Foundation supported research programme at Imperial College

Original research
The Health Foundation is providing support for three year programme of research into value for money at Imperial College. The research team will explore how healthcare resources are being spent in the UK and whether this provides value.

Value for money in healthcare – Health Foundation supported research programme at LSE

Original research
The Health Foundation is providing support for a three year programme of research into value for money at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).  The research team will explore how healthcare resources are being spent in the UK and whether this provides value.

What is revalidation? In Practice

Original research
'What is Revalidation? In Practice' is an 18-month primary research study that uses activity theory and discourse analysis to understand and assess the impact of revalidation on clinicians and clinical practice.
Back to top