From research to knowledge to action: the dual challenge of health systems research.

In many ways, health systems research can be seen as the Cinderella of the health research world--relatively neglected by research funders, and possessing low status within the medical research community. In this short paper I wish to address two key challenges that face health systems research. The first is to achieve legitimacy as a 'proper' research area. The second is to demonstrate influence on health policy and implementation.