Priority setting in public health and health services research

Abstract

Models for strategic priority setting in public health and health services research typically lack coherence or omit keyconsiderations. We propose a new model, the Seven 'I's, with seven components: innovation, identification,inequalities, incorporation, importance, influences, and interventions. It tests the 'relevance' of research, while'excellence' will be evaluated using existing criteria for peer review. It should be used to set research priorities primarilyon the basis of expected health benefits, with adjustments for other non-health benefits as necessary.We discuss each component and compare our approach to other models. We argue that our model helps ensure resourceallocation is transparent and accountable, and encourages the link to population health gains. It is flexible, and isapplicable to both commissioned and investigator-driven research. It may be applied to assess existing proposals, or togenerate research ideas.