卫生服务研究是一个多学科的研究领域。卫生服务研究人员研究了社会因素，政府政策，融资系统，组织结构和个人行为如何影响获得所需护理的机会，所提供护理的质量以及护理成本。研究的重点是广泛的，包括个人，家庭，提供者，医疗保健组织，社区和人群。卫生服务研究领域最终对健康（被理解为健康状况和福祉）以及卫生保健（被视为有效提供卫生保健服务）都感兴趣。卫生服务研究，政策和管理博士学位课程是主要针对对学术职业或政府或私营部门的高级研究职位感兴趣的学生。核心课程是对影响医疗服务的组织，筹资和提供的社会，政治和经济力量的多学科
Health services research is a multidisciplinary field of study. Health services researchers examine how social factors, government policies, financing systems, organizational structures, and personal behaviors affect access to needed care, the quality of care provided, and the cost of care delivery. The focus of research is broad and includes individuals, families, providers, healthcare organizations, communities, and populations. The field of health services research is ultimately interested in both health, understood as health status and well-being, as well as health care, understood as the effective delivery of healthcare services.The doctoral program in health services research, policy, and administration is primarily for students interested in academic careers or senior research positions in government or the private sector. The core curriculum is a multidisciplinary examination of the social, political, and economic forces that affect the organization, financing, and delivery of health care services. The emphasis is on theory, modeling, and quantitative methods. Coursework is complemented by the student's involvement with faculty on health services research projects, through weekly academic research seminars, doctoral colloquia, and conference presentations. Students come from a variety of educational backgrounds, including decision sciences, economics, political science, sociology, business, engineering, and public affairs. Strong quantitative skills are essential.