Abstract
It is with great delight, and a small dose of trepidation, that we are embarking on a new era for the Journal of Health Services Research and Policy. The tremendous achievements by Nick Black and Nick Mays since founding this Journal in 1995, growing it from strength to strength, and increasing its recognition and reputation nationally and internationally, have set high expectations.
Conceived as an alternative outlet for high-quality health services research (HSR) outside the United States, the Journal’s vision has expanded over the years, seeking not only to advance HSR but, importantly, to understand the implications of HSR for health care policy more widely. Nick and Nick established a Journal that is more than ‘just a repository of miscellaneous research articles’ 1 but one that encourages and provides a forum for debating issues, ideas or controversies in the analysis and policy discourse.
The core aim of JHSRP is to provide a unique opportunity to explore the ideas, policies and decisions shaping health services throughout the world. Edited and peer-reviewed by experts in the field and with a high academic standard and multidisciplinary approach, readers will gain a greater understanding of the current issues in health care policy and research.
We strongly believe that it is this aim and scope that make the Journal a key place to go to for health services and policy researchers both as a source for high-quality research but, more importantly perhaps, the first choice for submitting scientific work for publication.
The Journal has been a favourite of both of ours for many years, and we are keen to maintain and strengthen the reputation of JHSRP as a journal that publishes high quality health services and policy analysis research in mostly, but not exclusively, high-income economies. We also aim to uphold the example the Journal sets in treating authors and reviewers respectfully by ensuring timely feedback to authors while providing reviewers with sufficient flexibility to assess the quality of manuscripts accepted for review.
We foresee no major changes to the principal structure of the Journal, with contributions striking what we believe to be an appropriate balance between the latest scientific research, insightful overviews and reflections on underlying issues, and innovative, thought-provoking contributions from leading academics and policy makers.
However, to further strengthen the role of the Journal in the field of HSR, we are considering adding a new section that more specifically reflects on advances in health services and policy analysis research. There is a clear need for the further development of approaches to research and methodologies to help address the underlying and ensuing (or at times seemingly perpetual) challenges of service delivery and health care policy. This would include approaches to systematic, rigorous international comparative research, which we have a particular interest in promoting.
We are also considering a new section that critically explores initiatives in health care service delivery and policy around the globe, enabling researchers and policy makers to identify new opportunities for research and consider the place of such initiatives in their own health systems.
Of course, any changes in the Journal will be carefully considered in the light of whether they meet the Journal's scope and aims, and the wishes of its Editorial Committee, readers and authors to ensure that any proposed changes are reasonable and feasible.
A key issue for the Journal is to increase its reach and readership, and how to engage more proactively with its audience. We will be giving this further thought over the coming months.
It will be challenging to follow the example that ‘the two Nicks’ have set for the Journal, but we will strive to do our best to maintain the Journal’s extremely high standards.
On behalf of the Journal, we thank them both for their hard work and achievements as Editors-in-Chief, and we look forward to building on their successes and helping steer the Journal through the coming years.
We would also like to thank the publishers – SAGE – for their ongoing support of the Journal and for providing us with the tremendous opportunity to continue its work. Special thanks must also go to Christine Rivett-Carnac for her excellent editorial administration work and we look forward to continue working with her closely.