Steps
Step 1
Health Policy Issue Identification and Policy Analysis Framework Design
The core task of this step is to identify important health policy issues and design a policy analysis framework. Select research topics from real-world health system challenges and policy needs.
• Policy issue identification: select policy issues from health financing, medical insurance, healthcare service delivery, public health system, pharmaceutical policy, health workforce, hierarchical diagnosis, healthcare reform; analyze severity, urgency, and policy relevance
• Policy analysis framework: select policy analysis model (policy process model, stakeholder analysis, policy triangle model, Kingdon's multiple streams, Greenhalgh diffusion model); determine analysis dimensions (context, content, process, actors, outcomes)
• Research design: determine research methods (bibliometric analysis, policy text analysis, qualitative research, quantitative evaluation, case study, comparative research); develop data collection plan and analysis timeline
Deliverable: Health policy research design proposal (policy issue analysis, analytical framework, research methods, data collection plan) | Quality standard: Accurate policy issue identification, scientific and applicable analytical framework, appropriate and feasible research methods
Step 2
Policy Text Analysis and Policy Process Research
The core task of this step is to systematically collect and analyze policy texts and study the policy formulation and implementation process. Collect relevant policy documents, laws, regulations, and plans.
• Policy text collection: systematically collect relevant policy documents—laws, administrative regulations, departmental rules, normative documents, development plans, action plans, standards and guidelines; build policy text database; record issuing agency, time, document number, topic
• Policy content analysis: use content analysis, text mining, policy tool classification (Rothwell & Zegveld: supply-side, environment-side, demand-side) to analyze policy content; code policy themes and keywords; draw policy evolution roadmap
• Policy process analysis: analyze policy agenda setting (how issues enter policy agenda), policy formulation process (decision-making mechanisms, participants, interest dynamics), policy implementation pathways (implementing agencies, supporting measures, pilot scaling); identify key nodes and influencing factors
Deliverable: Policy analysis report (policy text database, content analysis results, process analysis, key findings) | Quality standard: Comprehensive and systematic policy text collection, in-depth content analysis, clear process analysis logic
Step 3
Stakeholder Analysis and Policy Implementation Evaluation
The core task of this step is to analyze stakeholders of health policy and evaluate policy implementation effects. Health policy involves multiple stakeholders; implementation effectiveness depends on interactions among them.
• Stakeholder analysis: identify policy stakeholders (government departments, healthcare institutions, medical staff, patients, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, academic institutions, social organizations, public); analyze interests, power/influence, positions; draw stakeholder matrix (power-interest matrix)
• Implementation process assessment: assess policy implementation fidelity (implemented as planned), adequacy (sufficient resources), appropriateness (suitable for local context), equity (reaches target population); use process tracing, RBF
• Implementation effectiveness evaluation: evaluate short-term effects (service utilization, accessibility), medium-term effects (health outcomes, cost control), long-term effects (population health, health system performance); use quasi-experimental methods like DID, RDD
Deliverable: Stakeholder analysis and policy implementation evaluation report (stakeholder matrix, implementation progress assessment, effectiveness evaluation results) | Quality standard: Comprehensive stakeholder identification, in-depth analysis, scientific evaluation methods, reliable conclusions
Step 4
Health Economics Evaluation and Policy Optimization Plan
The core task of this step is to evaluate policy from a health economics perspective and propose policy optimization plans. Health policy must consider not only effectiveness but also efficiency and equity.
• Health economics evaluation: perform economic evaluation of policy options—CMA, CEA, CUA, CBA; calculate ICER; determine cost-effectiveness threshold (e.g., 1-3 times GDP per capita)
• Health financing and payment method analysis: analyze policy financing mechanisms (tax, social insurance, commercial insurance, out-of-pocket); payment methods (fee-for-service, case-based, capitation, global budget, DRG/DIP); assess impacts on medical costs, service quality, provider behavior
• Policy optimization design: design policy optimization plans based on evaluation results; compare expected effects of different policy combinations; perform sensitivity and scenario analysis; propose phased and differentiated implementation strategies by region; develop supporting measures
Deliverable: Health economics evaluation and policy optimization plan report (economics evaluation results, policy comparison, optimization plan, implementation pathway) | Quality standard: Standard economic evaluation methods, comprehensive policy comparison, scientific and feasible optimization plan
Step 5
Policy Research Report Writing and Policy Recommendations
The core task of this step is to write a health policy research report and propose actionable policy recommendations. Policy research reports are the bridge between research and decision-making.
• Write policy research report: follow policy research report standards—executive summary, policy background and issues, analytical framework and methods, main findings, policy recommendations; highlight key information and policy options for decision-makers; 3000-5000 words
• Produce policy brief: create 1-2 page policy brief for decision-makers; clearly present problem, evidence, recommendations; use infographics to enhance readability; support rapid decision-making
• Propose policy recommendations: propose short-term (1 year), medium-term (1-3 years), long-term (3-5 years) policy recommendations; clarify responsible actors, resource needs, implementation pathways, risks and responses; propose monitoring and evaluation indicators
Deliverable: Health policy research report, policy brief, policy recommendation list, implementation roadmap | Quality standard: Clear report structure, sufficient evidence, specific and feasible recommendations, high decision-making reference value