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June 1978 (Volume 56)
Quarterly Article
David Mechanic
Aug 20, 2026
Aug 19, 2026
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Health services research has an important-and unique-role in affecting the climate of policy formulation and in defining future options. This very uniqueness, however, places the endeavor in a vulnerable position between the usual rigors of scientific investigation and the desire for simplicity and comprehensibility on the part of administrators and legislators. A constituency must be found to nurture the continuance of this modest but invaluable research activity.
Author(s): David Mechanic
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Volume 56, Issue 2 (pages 127–139) Published in 1978
