Embedded Research: Possibilities for Learning Health Systems; Comment on “‘We’re Not Providing the Best Care if We are Not on the Cutting Edge of Research’: A Research Impact Evaluation at a Regional Australian Hospital and Health Service”

Brown et al show that research investments in an organization with a research and translation mandate can make important gains for research impact across domains, including quality of care and patient outcomes. Their multistage mixed methods evaluation provides insight into research capacity development in rural health systems in Australia and draws attention towards persistent geographic inequities. In extension of this important contribution, here, a focus on the “what and the why” of embedded research is offered. Specific attention is paid to the sustainability potentials of systematized data capture systems, funding-operational mandate alignments, researcher-scientist career pathways, and networked approaches to mentorship.