Growth of a scientific community of practice public health services and systems research.

Background: Public health services and systems research (PHSSR) is an emerging discipline that examines the organization, financing, and delivery of public health services.

Purpose: The objective of this descriptive study is to provide insight into the discipline's growth by examining the researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who are engaged in PHSSR and their expertise, sources of funding, collaboration patterns, productivity, and challenges.

Methods: A 27-item online survey was conducted and analyzed in 2010.