Methods of evaluation, elements of input and policy support.

Health care reforms have now become a universal process in most of the countries, regardless of the political setting, type of health care system and level of economic development. Often, the approach is purely political with little insight into the more structural and objective data based information. On the other hand, too often too little is done to monitor the process and to perform efficient structured evaluation. Health policy needs triangulation in order to comprehensively approach the process that it intends to steer. Evidence base from different professional fields seems necessary. The workshop aims at offering reflections on the possible methodologies used and discusses other important issues in policy support in health services research. Inputs for evidence-based policy require results from analyses and research together with clearly defined goals and objectives. Only such a combination provides the necessary means to support decisions in all the necessary aspects, which are part of a modern policy-driven process of reform in the important segment such as health care. (aut.ref.)