Public health (health service organization and epidemiology), and evaluation of services, particularly service integration and quality assessment, as well as change implementation, needs assessment, primary care services, service utilization, health systems analysis, performance indicators, and patient outcomes. Methods: quantitative (surveys, administrative databases, outcome studies), qualitative (case study designs, program evaluation), and mixed-method investigations, all involving close partnerships with clinicians and decision-makers. Main target groups: patients with both serious and common mental disorders, substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders; vulnerable populations such as the homeless; and health care practitioners (general practitioners, psychiatrists, multidisciplinary teams), managers and decision-makers. 

Summary of my research program and its impact, especially in the last five years: The overall objective of my research program is to contribute to knowledge on strategies for optimizing organization of the mental health system (including services for addiction and homelessness) in order to improve health system performance, and respond more effectively to patient needs. My original scholarly contributions have focused on three streams within this overall research program: First, I have conducted studies on healthcare organization for the purpose of assessing mental health care reforms related to primary care, community-based and emergency services, and collaborative care, as well as integrated service networks, and multidisciplinary team work. Second, I have spearheaded research projects in the areas of needs assessment and adequacy of care, including patient satisfaction studies, with particular focus on patient clinical profiles and related outcomes (e.g. recovery, quality of life). Third, I have conducted epidemiological studies on mental disorders using surveys and administrative databases, especially on patterns of healthcare utilization among individuals with mental health, addiction and co-occurring disorders. Over the years, I have received multiple grants (including salary awards as recently as July 2014) to support my research program. Results of this work have been published in numerous high-quality journals in my fields of investigation. I have also endeavored to maximize the impact and value of my work by disseminating it through other media, including provincial and national reviews, reports and books. Overall, my scholarly output reflects a balance between the need to maintain high academic standards at the international level, but also to insure that my research has an especially strong empirical impact within the Quebec community, in order to enhance the social relevance of my work.

Key words of research: Public health, evaluation of services, best practices implementation, needs assessment, service utilization, healthcare system analysis, performance indicators, and patient outcomes

Le professeur Bernard-Simon Leclerc s’intéresse à l’épidémiologie sociale, aux déterminants sociaux, aux inégalités sociales de santé, aux enjeux sociaux des services de santé, à l'analyse de réseaux de relations sociales ainsi qu’à l’évaluation des pratiques, des programmes et des interventions participatives et intersectorielles en général. Il s’intéresse également à la recherche clinique et épidémiologique sur les problèmes qui affligent les personnes âgées vulnérables de même qu’à la recherche évaluative sur les services de santé hospitaliers et communautaires qui leur sont offerts. Il mène enfin des recherches en nutrition en santé publique auprès de femmes enceintes de milieux défavorisés. Il a cependant considérablement réduit ses activités d’érudition depuis qu’il a accepté de nouvelles responsabilité académiques et administratives.

Amélioration de l'accès aux services et de soins de santé dans les populations vulnérables.

Innover pour la santé maternelle et infantile en Afrique - Apprendre à mettre en œuvre des soins de santé primaires intégrés, centrés sur la communauté et axés sur la santé reproductive et infantile dans les contextes post-conflit.

Intervention intégrée visant à réduire le risque de diabète de type 2 chez les femmes défavorisées après le diabète gestationnel en Afrique du Sud

Intégration d'une approche des systèmes de santé à la prestation des services de santé maternelle : recherche transdisciplinaire au Rwanda et en Afrique du Sud.