About Us

At the Center for Learning Health System Sciences (CLHSS), we bridge the gap between research and practice by fostering continuous learning in healthcare delivery.

Our Mission

To foster fast, continuous learning within Minnesota’s healthcare systems where evidence informs practice and data from practice generates new knowledge.

Our Goals

• Build a distinguished research and education program for Learning Health System sciences
• Accelerate the application of science to transform and improve patient care and affect population health
• Seamlessly integrate research and practice, care delivery, and continuous improvement to create new knowledge and directly improve care

What is a Learning Health System?

A Learning Health System (LHS) is a cycle between translational research and healthcare practice. Research findings are used to improve clinical practices which then generate data that can be used for more research. The National Academy of Medicine describes a Learning Health System as: “A system in which science, informatics, incentives, and culture are aligned for continuous improvement and innovation, with best practices seamlessly embedded in the care process, patients and families as active participants in all elements, and new knowledge is captured as an integral by-product of the care experience.” 

Learning Health Systems are critical to healthcare improvement and reducing the time it takes for research findings to make it into healthcare practice. Building a Learning Health System involves identifying a challenge in healthcare delivery, gathering evidence on the challenge, implementing a change, and evaluating that change by collecting data on its impact.

Join Us in Advancing Healthcare Through Integrating Research and Practice

At CLHSS, we are committed to transforming healthcare through translational research and continuous learning. Join us in advancing healthcare systems that deliver better outcomes for everyone.