The concept of value based healthcare has recently come to prominence in discussions of how to
maximise population and individual health. The Chief Medical Officer in Scotland in her report on Realistic Medicine drew on this model in setting a vision of healthcare in Scotland. What is meant by value by different stakeholders and how this is understood, established and measured in different situations challenges researchers and clinicians. This one day research symposium will bring together academics, healthcare staff and other interested groups to consider both current research in Scotland and the evidence needed by decision makers to support them in providing value in health and social care.