Research in health and social care justifies a number of functions. These include; identifying need, highlighting gaps in provision, planning provision, informing policy or a practice, extending knowledge and understanding, improving practice, aiding reflection, allowing progress to be monitored, and examining topics of contemporary importance. The following information below explains how these work.
No two service users are the same, therefore each service user is to be treated as an individual. Identifying need is important in health and social care because health care professional must know what they are aiming towards whilst caring for service users. Therefore, identifying their needs is the first step into providing the best care for them. An example of some research that identifies need is The Family Nurse Workforce: A Study for the Family Nurse Partnership National Unit. This research is important because it gives information about what the Family Nurse Partnership programme is, and what they do, which is to provide protection and support for vulnerable young first time mothers. The service offers home visits carried out by specially trained nurses. The Family Nurses and supervisors are required to provide all their qualifications and background to ensure that they have the proper training e.g. a knowledge of various medical conditions and the services available to help cope with this condition.
Highlighting gaps in provision in health and social care it is important because if provision is available, but not sufficient to meet the needs and demands of service user; they are likely to receive reduced care than required to maintain their health. An example of a piece of research that highlights gaps in provision in health and social care is mental health provision for 16 and 17 years old in Wales. This piece of research is important because it provides an overview of the problems relates with the