FAQ for HSR Information Central (HSRIC)

What is HSR Information Central?
HSR Information Central (HSRIC) is a resource designed to serve the information needs of the health services research (HSR) community. With numerous Internet links to HSR resources and research-related sites, HSR Information Central is a one-stop Web site for HSR information.

What is the history of HSR Information Central?
The National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology (NICHSR) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) initiated the project. The first partner to join in populating the site was the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). NLM also received links from the National Cancer Institute, AcademyHealth, the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and the Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) at the Veterans Administration.

What is health services research?
Staff have compiled a number of definitions of this evolving field.

How is HSR Information Central Maintained?
New links to HSR Information Central are selected from among the suggestions submitted by users of the site. Additionally, NICHSR staff, as well as a contractor, monitor current and pending activities in the HSR community, identifying items of relevance and interest, and adding them to the site on a regular basis.

How can I submit a link to HSR Information Central?
HSR Information Central invites suggestions for links to government and non-profit organizations that serve as gateways to information on a variety of topics related to health services research. When suggesting a new link for HSR Information Central to another site, please consider that site's enduring value and the frequency with which it is updated. HSR Information Central does not normally include links to commercial products or services. HSR Information Central acknowledges that a site with valuable information may also contain information on commercial products or services; however, acceptance of a link does not imply that HSR Information Central endorses any commercial product or service contained in the link. To submit a link for consideration please visit http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hsrinfo/hsrsuggestlink.html and follow the instructions. Thank you.

How are HSR news items added to the site?
NICHSR staff and the content manager regularly review the news and announcements posted on key HSR federal agencies, associations, foundations and other private Web sites. Staff track and review press releases from many of these same organizations. A limited number of news items are selected to appear in the "latest news" box on the homepage. News items remain available for four weeks on the site's news page http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hsrinfo/hsrnews.html. News items older than four weeks are available on the News Archive in HSR Web page http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hsrinfo/hsrnews_archive.html.

How do I navigate the site?
The "Browse Resources" on the left-hand side of the screen lists the main categories currently in HSR Information Central. Click on one of these categories to be directed to various links and resources related to that category. Items may be listed in more than one main category. For example, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's National Health Plan Collaborative Toolkit appears in Health Disparities as well as in Data Tools and Statistics. Alternatively, if you are looking for an item and are unsure of what category it is listed in, you can access an alphabetical listing of all Web sites in HSR Information Central by clicking on "Alphabetical List" in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

I am looking for information on HSR-related surveys? Where should I look?
Information on surveys can be found in the Data Tools and Statistics category.

Do you have a flyer on HSR resources?
Staff have created a one-page flyer outlining HSR resources offered by the National Information Center for Health Services Research and Health Care Technology.

What kinds of data tools are available?
The main category "data, tools and statistics" contains links to the following: Databases/Repositories (Federal, Non-Federal and State), Health Statistics, International (International Data) and Surveys and Tools (Federal and State).

What is in the Guidelines, Journals, Other Publications Main Category?
HSR-related glossaries, guidelines, HSR Core Library recommendations, journals, links to journal article databases, newsletters, and reports and other publications can be found in this main category.

What is contained in the Health Disparities category?
HSR Information Central uses two National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) definitions:

1. Healthcare disparities refer to differences in access to or availability of facilities and services
2. Health status disparities refers to the variation in rates of disease occurrence and disabilities between socioeconomic and/or geographically defined population groups

Using these definitions as guides, the Health Disparities main category contains links to Data Tools and Statistics, Key Organizations, Guidelines, Journals, and Other Publications and Programs.

Does HSR Information Central offer funding?
HSR Information Central does not offer funding. However, the main category "Grants, Funding and Fellowships" provides links to opportunities for fellowships, grants and other awards.

Does HSR Information Central offer training or provided continuing education units?
HSR Information Central does not offer any training nor does it provide any continuing education units. However, the main category "Education and Training" directs visitors to federal and other educating and training opportunities as well as to online courses and materials.

Still have a question?
We're here to help! Please complete the comment portion of the form found at Suggest Link. Alternatively you can email the NICHSR staff at nichsr@nlm.nih.gov.