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Shaping innovation in health care: A content analysis of innovation policies in the English NHS, 1948–2015.

Authors :
Farchi, Tomas
Salge, Torsten-Oliver
Source :
Social Science & Medicine. Nov2017, Vol. 192, p143-151. 9p.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Governments around the world seek to design policies that enhance the innovative capacity of public service. Hence, identifying the underlying meanings attributed to innovation concepts in public policies is critical, as these very understandings inform not only the policy discourses, but also the overall institutional landscape regulating innovation activities. This paper examines such fundamental definitional aspects in the specific context of the National Health Service in England. For this purpose, it traces the evolution of the innovation concept in policy discourse based on the analysis of 21 key policy documents published or commissioned by the English Department of Health between 1948 and 2015. Systematic analysis of these texts reveals that policymakers’ conception of healthcare innovation broadened considerably over time. English health innovation policy initially focused on basic biomedical research. Subsequently, it entered a transitional period, zeroing in on science- and technology-based innovation. Finally, this focus gradually shifted to a broader conception of innovation translating into health, economic, and service design benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
02779536
Volume :
192
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Social Science & Medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
125707019
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.09.038