MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'The European Journal of Health Economics' source. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:13:06 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5663386&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F152pu521g7jh6776%2F Abstract  An important health policy issue is the low rate of patient enrollment into clinical trials, which may slow down the process of clinical trials and discourage their supply, leading to delays in innovative life-saving drug treatments reaching the general population. In the US, patients’ cost of participating in a clinical trial is considered to be a major barrier to patient enrollment. In order to reduce this barrier, some states in the US have implemented policies requiring health insurers to cover routine care costs for patients enrolled in clinical trials. This paper evaluates empirically how effective these policies were in increasing the supply of clinical trials and speeding up their completion, using data on cancer clinical trials initiated in the US betwe... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5663386 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:09:29 +0100 5663386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5654824&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq17667651015m7j4%2F Abstract  Most existing studies on parallel trade conclude that it reduces pharmaceutical firms’ profits. One special feature of the pharmaceutical industry is the presence of price regulation in most countries. Taking into account the impact of parallel trade on the regulated pharmaceutical prices [Pecorino, P.: J. Health Econ. 21, 699–708 (2002)] shows that a pharmaceutical firm’s profit is greater in the presence of parallel trade. The present paper relaxes the assumption on identical demands among countries, and takes into account transaction costs. The results of our model show that a firm’s profits may increase or decrease in the presence of parallel trade, depending on its bargaining power in the price negotiation and market size of the drug. Changes in social... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5654824 Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:50:24 +0100 5654824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5642500&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F5505347637l57845%2F Abstract  Unlike other industrialised countries, the UK deferred the routine introduction of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) in favour of an experiment. Between 2002 and 2005, MS sufferers were identified, were offered DMTs only if deemed suitable by their physicians, and were monitored thereafter to assess long-term outcomes. It has been demonstrated for other therapies that judgements about suitability to receive treatment are conditioned by the patient’s deprivation status. We hypothesised that this would have been the case for DMTs also. Using individual patient data for samples in Nottingham and in Glasgow, we matched patients’ postcodes of residence with deprivation scores and confirmed that patients from more deprived areas were les... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5642500 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:44:33 +0100 5642500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5615739&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fk40pur727x1v83lg%2F Conclusions  This study builds upon existing research having demonstrated the potential usefulness of mapping disease-specific instruments onto utility measures. The specific issue of longitudinal validity is addressed, as mapping models derived from baseline patients need to be validated on post-therapy samples. The underestimation of post-treatment utilities in the present study, at least in more severe patients, warrants further research before it is prudent to conduct cost-utility analyses in the context of RA by means of the MHAQ alone. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s10198-012-0376-9Authors Nick Kontodimopoulos, Faculty of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Bouboulinas 57, 26222 Patras, GreecePanagiotis Bozios,... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5615739 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:59:03 +0100 5615739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5615740&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ft66p38n31261v724%2F Abstract  Cost-effectiveness analysis as a means to evaluate medical innovations has become well accepted in the UK and several other Western countries. An important assumption underlying this method is that costs and effects are constant over time. In reality, however, and especially in the short run, variations in costs and effects are likely to occur. These variations can lead to considerable deviations from the outcome of a conventional economic evaluation, which in turn may lead to serious implementation problems at a local level. Taking time into account explicitly in economic evaluations in health care may enhance their utility for both societal and local decision making, and may ultimately smooth the adoption of new and basically cost-effective health care technolog... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5615740 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:59:02 +0100 5615740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5591070&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Flp4ll78860746064%2F Conclusions  It is possible to make international comparisons but only if there is standardization of the case-mix between countries and only if comparable accountancy methodologies are used. Harmonization of DRGs groups, nomenclature and accountancy is thus required. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0373-4Authors M. Pirson, Unité Economie et Gestion des Institutions de Soins, Département d’économie de la santé, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 808, Route de Lennik, CP592, 1070 Bruxelles, BelgiumL. Schenker, Institute of Health Economics and Management, University of Lausanne and APDRG Suisse, Lausanne, SwitzerlandD. Martins, Unité Economie et Gestion des Institutions de Soins, Départe... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5591070 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:57:38 +0100 5591070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5575584&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc8078580775q6h36%2F Conclusion  This study showed that modeling of future behavioral change in CEA of a behavioral intervention further strengthened the results of the standard CEA. Ultimately, modeling future behavioral change could have important consequences for health policy development in general and the adoption of behavioral interventions in particular. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0371-6Authors Rilana Prenger, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The NetherlandsMarcel E. Pieterse, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The NetherlandsLouise M. A. Braakman-Jansen, Department of Psychology, Health and T... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5575584 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:08:16 +0100 5575584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5556172&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F92306746r4t03074%2F Abstract  We use German SHARE data to study the relationship between district general practitioner density and the quality of preventive care provided to older adults. We measure physician quality of care as the degree of adherence to medical guidelines (for the management of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the prevention of falls) as reported by patients. Contrary to theoretical expectations, we find only weak and insignificant effects of physician density on quality of care. Our results shed doubt on the notion that increasing physician supply will increase the quality of care provided in Germany’s present health care system. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-15DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0372-5Authors Hendrik Jürges, Schumpeter Sc... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5556172 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:02:06 +0100 5556172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5556173&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq6604283k3u85607%2F Abstract  Although the technological change in medicine has been recognized widely as the major driver of rising healthcare costs, there is very little research that estimates this effect directly. This paper uses both a single-equation and a simultaneous equations approach to investigate empirically the interactive relationship between technological innovation and the growth of health expenditure in the context of the pharmaceutical market in Taiwan. Based on observing 182 therapeutic groups between 1997 and 2006, we find evidence to support the argument that technological innovation and health expenditure are determined simultaneously as technological innovation, and that the growth of health expenditure are endogenous rather than exogenous. Specifically, we find that the... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5556173 Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:44:55 +0100 5556173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5499930&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ful0538p271157036%2F Abstract  Community-based health insurance has been implemented in several developing countries to help the poor to gain access to adequate health-care services. Assessing what the poor are willing to pay is of paramount importance for policymaking. The contingent valuation method, which relies on a hypothetical market, is commonly used for this purpose. But the presence of the hypothetical bias that is most often inherent in this method tends to bias the estimates upward and compromises policymaking. This paper uses respondents’ uncertainty scores in an attempt to mitigate hypothetical bias in community-based health insurance in one rural setting in Cameroon. Uncertainty scores are often employed in single dichotomous choice surveys. An originality of the paper is to use... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5499930 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:04:17 +0100 5499930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5491514&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fw823136473812206%2F Conclusions  Countries striving to improve their HSE should aim to impact population behavior and welfare rather than only ensure adequate medical care. In addition, they may consider avoiding specific institutional arrangements, namely gatekeeping and the presence of multiple insurers. Finally, the ambiguous association found between socioeconomic and environmental indicators, and a country’s HSE necessitates caution when interpreting different ranking techniques in a cross-country efficiency evaluation and needs further exploration. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-13DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0366-3Authors Sharon Hadad, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Shamoon College of Engineering, Beer-Sheva, IsraelYossi Hadad, Depa... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5491514 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:03:07 +0100 5491514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5481754&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ff734244u52333617%2F Conclusions  Nurses are currently undertaking other tasks than GPs, and larger practices do not lead to increased production per GP. However, a relative increase in list size increased the efficiency. This indicates that organisational changes aiming to increase capacity in general practice should be carefully designed and tested. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0368-1Authors Kim Rose Olsen, Danish Institute for Health Services Research, Copenhagen, DenmarkDorte Gyrd-Hansen, Danish Institute for Health Services Research, Copenhagen, DenmarkTorben Højmark Sørensen, Danish Institute for Health Services Research, Copenhagen, DenmarkTroels Kristensen, Research Unit of Health Economics, University of Southern Denmark, ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5481754 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:34:09 +0100 5481754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5472895&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F2kh2hp74034u2654%2F This study analyzed for a sample of Belgian individual prescription data for 4 clusters of commonly used drugs (proton pump inhibitors, statins and two groups of antihypertensives [drugs acting on renin-angiotensin system and dihydropyridine derivatives]) whether the probability to receive the least expensive molecule within a cluster was linked to the socioeconomic status of the patient. Logistic regression models included individual demographic, working, chronic illness and financial status and small area education data for 906,543 prescriptions from 1,280 prescribing general practitioners and specialists. For the 4 clusters, results show that patients with lower socioeconomic status consistently use slightly more the least expensive drugs than other patients. Larger effects are ob... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5472895 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:13:58 +0100 5472895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5436270&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe545p46821611026%2F Abstract  The implementation of activity-based payment system named T2A—tarification à l’activité—in 2004 profoundly modified the financing of French hospitals. Presently applied to activities concerning medicine, surgery and obstetrics, the pricing for these activities was developed using the National Costs Study. The considerable differences observed between costs in the private sector and those in the public sector are in part justified, by the latter, by caring for patients with social deprivation. The goal of this study is to measure the influence of social deprivation on the length of hospitalisation. A survey on inpatient social deprivation was carried out from November to December 2008 by the French Ministry of Health (Department of Research, Study, Evaluatio... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5436270 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:59:37 +0100 5436270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5415770&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F3136v00h3q1634g8%2F Conclusions  Despite the increase in the use of health care services, the relationship between social class and the use of these services has remained stable throughout the study period. Achieving equity in the use of specialised care services is still a challenge for universal health care systems. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0362-7Authors Laia Palència, CIBER de Epidemiología y Salut Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, SpainAlbert Espelt, CIBER de Epidemiología y Salut Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, SpainMaica Rodríguez-Sanz, CIBER de Epidemiología y Salut Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, SpainKatia B. Rocha, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Plaça Lesseps 1, 08023 Barcelona, SpainM. Isabel Pasarín, CIBER de Ep... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5415770 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:46:53 +0100 5415770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5415771&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F2151q2606578186k%2F Conclusion  Although we did not find any statistical significant differences in health care costs, we did observe a higher consumption of prescribed medication and lower costs of work hours lost if both patient and GPs participated in a former clinical trial. The results may be limited due to a lower number of patients included than expected. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0359-2Authors Anne Hvenegaard, Danish Institute for Health Services Research, 27-29 Dampfaergevej, 2100 Copenhagen, DenmarkHenrik Hauschildt Juhl, Danish Institute for Health Services Research, 27-29 Dampfaergevej, 2100 Copenhagen, DenmarkAndreas Habicht, Signifikans ApS, Rundforbivej 2 (Trørød), 2950 Vedbæk, Denmark Journal The European... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5415771 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:46:52 +0100 5415771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5394697&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fxrk9256827040w38%2F Abstract  When using the EQ-5D in European cross-national studies, there is no consensus over whether the European value set (EVS), country specific value sets (CVS) or UK value set (UKVS) should be used. Data on health outcomes were collected in 7 countries. EQ-5D index scores were generated for each country using all three value sets. QALYs gained over 4 weeks based on EQ-5D scores were also generated in order to investigate the implications for cost-utility analysis. EQ-5D scores obtained using the EVS were similar to values obtained using the CVS and UKVS in all countries. CVS-based EQ-5D scores were on average associated with a smaller baseline-to-week 4 change/improvement in all countries (except in Wales and Belgium) while UKVS-based EQ-5D scores showed the larg... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5394697 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:54:14 +0100 5394697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5394696&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F7x8h2566vn210j05%2F Abstract  Research and practical guidelines have many implications for how to structure a health economic study. A major focus in recent decades has been the quality of health economic research. In practice, the factors influencing a study design are not limited to the quest for quality. Moreover, the framework of the study is important. This research addresses three major questions related to these framework aspects. First, we want to know whether the design of health economic studies has changed over time. Second, we want to know how the subject of a study, whether it is a process or product innovation, influences the parameters of the study design. Third, one of the most important questions we will answer is whether and how the study’s source of funding has an impact o... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5394696 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:54:14 +0100 5394696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5394698&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fa087427q242w3k15%2F Conclusions  It is possible to reasonably predict that the EQ-5D from the Barthel using regression methods and the CLAD model (4) is recommended. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-11DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0364-5Authors Billingsley Kaambwa, Health Economics Unit, Public Health Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UKLucinda Billingham, Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), University of Birmingham, Edbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UKStirling Bryan, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, University of British Columbia, Research Pavilion, 702-828 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Jou... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5394698 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:52:35 +0100 5394698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5372346&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F637612t521152817%2F The objective was to estimate health care costs and productivity losses due to epilepsy in Sweden and to compare these estimates to previously published estimates. Methods  Register data on health care utilisation, pharmaceutical sales, permanent disability and mortality were used to calculate health care costs and costs that accrue due to productivity losses. By linkage of register information, we were able to distinguish pharmaceuticals prescribed against epilepsy from prescriptions that were prompted by other indications. Results  The estimated total cost of epilepsy in Sweden in 2009 was €441 million, which corresponds to an annual per-patient cost of €8,275. Health care accounted for about 16% of the estimated total cost, and drug ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5372346 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00:47 +0100 5372346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5372347&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Flk5g4u7j10683438%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialPages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0353-8Authors Michael Drummond, Centre for Health Economics, University of York, Alcuin A Block, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UKAdrian Towse, Office of Health Economics, London, UK Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5372347 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00:43 +0100 5372347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5353825&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm317tg5458710131%2F Abstract  In this paper, we sustain that non-smokers who might be at risk of starting to smoke or relapsing can benefit from anti-smoking policies such as tax hikes and smoking bans because these are mechanisms that enhance their self-control with regard to tobacco consumption. We formalize this conjecture by proposing a model where starting/relapsing might result from time inconsistent preferences in a way that mirrors the inability of some smokers to carry out the decision to quit. Subsequently, we specify econometric models that allow us to test the implications of such conjecture using information on smoking behavior at the individual level from the Catalan Health Survey of 2006. The empirical results support our conjecture and suggest that the welfare gains derived fro... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5353825 Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:46:31 +0100 5353825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5320218&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj26163j277463611%2F Conclusions  The study gives new information about the cost-effectiveness of structured health promotion embedded in daily routine at primary schools. Assuming a MWTP of €35 the intervention is cost-effective with a positive NMB. This result may help decision makers in implementing programmes to prevent childhood overweight in school settings. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-11DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0358-3Authors Dorothea Kesztyüs, Division of Sports and Rehabilitation, Department of Internal Medicine II, Ulm University Medical Centre, Frauensteige 6, Haus 58/33, 89075 Ulm, GermanyAnja Schreiber, Division of Sports and Rehabilitation, Department of Internal Medicine II, Ulm University Medical Centre, Frauensteige 6, Haus 58/33, 89075... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5320218 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:51:49 +0100 5320218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5300927&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F8562964g29h24172%2F Abstract  Recent data analysed for Ireland suggest a strong link between disability status and household poverty, while there exists substantial evidence to suggest that disability is highly prevalent among persons of older age. Within this context, this paper estimates the welfare implications of disability for older people in Ireland. We define and estimate models of the private costs borne by households with older persons who have a disability in Ireland, both in general and by severity of illness or condition. Our modelling framework is based on the standard of living approach to estimating the cost of disability. The model quantifies the extra costs of living associated with disability and is estimated by comparing the standard of living of households with and without ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5300927 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:00:41 +0100 5300927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5300928&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fxk8374285708h7n8%2F Conclusion  Predicted costs for LA were 1,856 US$ lower than for OA while the postoperative complication rate did not differ significantly. Thus, LA is the treatment of choice from a provider’s perspective. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-12DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0355-6Authors Laura Haas, Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg/Munich, GermanyTom Stargardt, Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg/Munich, GermanyJonas Schreyoegg, Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg/Munich, G... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5300928 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:00:39 +0100 5300928 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5280144&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ft541l3017pn60887%2F Abstract  Recent years have seen increasing interest in the use of ordinal methods to elicit health state utility values as an alternative to conventional methods such as standard gamble and time trade-off (TTO). However, in order to use these ordinal methods to produce health state values for use in cost-effectiveness analysis using cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) analysis, these values must be anchored on the full health-dead scale. The paper reports on two feasibility studies that use two approaches to anchor health state utility values derived from discrete choice data on the full health-dead scale: normalising using (1) the TTO value of the worst state and (2) the coefficient on the ‘dead’ dummy variable. Health state utility values obtained using rank a... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5280144 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:22:53 +0100 5280144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5280145&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fw8g76t4p5g484787%2F Abstract  This paper investigates the impact of the introduction of new orphan drugs on premature mortality from rare diseases using longitudinal, disease-level data obtained from a number of major databases. The analysis is performed using data from two countries: the United States (during the period 1999–2006) and France (during the period 2000–2007). For both countries, we estimate models using two alternative definitions of premature mortality, several alternative criteria for inclusion in the set of rare diseases, and several values of the potential lag between new drug approvals and premature mortality reduction. Both the United States and French estimates indicate that, overall, premature mortality from rare diseases is unrelated to the cumulative number of drugs... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5280145 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:53:25 +0100 5280145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5280146&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm731u07r7021u373%2F The objective of the study is to identify the determinants of household direct and indirect costs in the Nouna District, Burkina Faso. The data used were from a household survey conducted during 2000–2001. The multinominal logit models were applied to investigate the determinants of direct and indirect costs. The respondents who were sick in the rainy season and severity of illness significantly increased the probability of having high direct and indirect household costs. Acute illness occured in an adult was positively associated with magnitude of household indirect costs. Household economic status and utilization of western medical care played an important role in magnitude of direct cost. The information on determinants of household direct and indirect costs is necessary in orde... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5280146 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:53:24 +0100 5280146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5256193&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe1pk453v74v1427l%2F Abstract  In this paper, we examine the role of relative food prices in determining the recent increase in body weight in Italy. Cross-price elasticities of unhealthy and healthy foods estimated by a demand system provide a consistent framework to evaluate substitution effects, when a close association is assumed between unhealthy (healthy) foods and more (less) energy-dense foods. We used a dataset constructed from a series of cross-sections of the Italian Household Budget Survey (1997–2005) to obtain the variables of the demand system, which accounts for regional price variability. The relative increase in healthy food prices was found to produce nontrivial elasticities of substitution towards higher relative consumption of unhealthy foods, with effects on weight outcom... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5256193 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:53:47 +0100 5256193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5256194&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F5130q1460234v456%2F Conclusion  This study provides the French value set of the EQ-5D based on the stated preferences of the French general public facilitating cost-effectiveness analysis. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0351-xAuthors Julie Chevalier, Chair of Health Economics and Management, ESSEC Business School, Avenue Bernard Hirsch, BP 50105, 95021 Cergy-Pontoise Cedex, FranceGérard de Pouvourville, Chair of Health Economics and Management, ESSEC Business School, Avenue Bernard Hirsch, BP 50105, 95021 Cergy-Pontoise Cedex, France Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5256194 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:53:45 +0100 5256194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5216678&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc554018m85g72267%2F Abstract  Due to regional competition and patient migration, the efficiency of healthcare provision at the regional level is subject to spatial dependence. We address this issue by applying a spatial autoregressive model to longitudinal data from Germany at the district (‘Kreis’) level. The empirical model is specified to explain efficiency scores, which we derive through non-parametric order-m efficiency analysis of regional health production. The focus is on the role of health policy of federal states (‘Bundesländer’) for district efficiency. Regression results reveal significant spatial spillover effects. Notably, accounting for spatial dependence does not decrease but increases the estimated effect of federal states on district efficiency. It appears that genui... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5216678 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:53:45 +0100 5216678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5194533&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl1022ju77l118t37%2F Abstract  Pay for performance (P4P) is increasingly being used to stimulate healthcare providers to improve their performance. However, evidence on P4P effectiveness remains inconclusive. Flaws in program design may have contributed to this limited success. Based on a synthesis of relevant theoretical and empirical literature, this paper discusses key issues in P4P-program design. The analysis reveals that designing a fair and effective program is a complex undertaking. The following tentative conclusions are made: (1) performance is ideally defined broadly, provided that the set of measures remains comprehensible, (2) concerns that P4P encourages “selection” and “teaching to the test” should not be dismissed, (3) sophisticated risk adjustment is important, especial... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5194533 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:13:41 +0100 5194533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5173439&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F807760636643371v%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialPages 1-4DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0348-5Authors Livio Garattini, Department of Public Health, ‘Mario Negri’ Institute for Pharmacological Research, CESAV, Centre for Health Economics, Via Camozzi, 3 c/o Villa Camozzi, 24020 Ranica, Bergamo, ItalyKatelijne van de Vooren, Department of Public Health, ‘Mario Negri’ Institute for Pharmacological Research, CESAV, Centre for Health Economics, Via Camozzi, 3 c/o Villa Camozzi, 24020 Ranica, Bergamo, Italy Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5173439 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 05:56:55 +0100 5173439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5173440&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fh04gm415l6512743%2F Abstract  Economic evaluations are increasingly used to inform decisions regarding the allocation of scarce health care resources. To systematically incorporate societal preferences into these evaluations, quality-adjusted life year gains could be weighted according to some equity principle, the most suitable of which is a matter of frequent debate. While many countries still struggle with equity concerns for priority setting in health care, the Netherlands has reached a broad consensus to use the concept of proportional shortfall. Our study evaluates the concept and its support in the Dutch health care context. We discuss arguments in the Netherlands for using proportional shortfall and difficulties in transitioning from principle to practice. In doing so, we address univer... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5173440 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 05:48:41 +0100 5173440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5153575&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm473317687212080%2F This study underscores the strong economic impact of non-medical costs of diseases. In addition, it stresses the need for better information systems for collecting data that is relevant to the topic at hand. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0344-9Authors Juan Oliva-Moreno, Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas Y Sociales de Toledo, Análisis Económico Y Finanzas, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Cobertizo de San Pedro Mártir s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5153575 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:53:11 +0100 5153575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5153576&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F93636u4106823532%2F This study forms the economic component of a randomised evaluation of the Incredible Years programme, a programme aimed at improving the skills and parenting strategies of parents of children with conduct problems. Our results show that the programme provides a cost-effective way of reducing behavioural problems. Furthermore, our cost analysis, when combined with a consideration of the potential long-run benefits, suggests that investment in such programmes may generate favourable long-run economic returns. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0342-yAuthors Donal O’Neill, Department of Economics, NUI Maynooth, Ireland and Research Fellow IZA, Bonn, GermanySinéad McGilloway, Department of Psychology, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Irelan... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5153576 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:41:19 +0100 5153576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5153577&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fg200p8544w237242%2F Abstract  Obesity poses important burdens not only on the individuals whose quality of life is reduced but on national welfare systems that have to face growing premature mortality rates, increase healthcare expenditures to treat obesity-related diseases, and earmark vast amounts of healthcare resources for prevention. The main goal of this paper is to analyze the relationship between excess body weight and different dimensions of health-related quality of life for people 16 years and older and to identify the health dimensions most affected by excess weight. We have drawn data from the Catalonia Health Survey (2006). Our results reveal a relationship between excess weight and health-related quality of life. Even after controlling for socio-economic status and objectiv... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5153577 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:41:17 +0100 5153577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5136827&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fv45587g48211670k%2F This article investigates the role of partial smoking bans in coping with externalities caused by the secondhand smoking problem. Although it is widely known that Pigouvian taxation is superior to a perfect ban, this result does not necessarily carry over to a partial ban because taxes cannot (easily) be differentiated according to location. We show that under an easy and intuitive condition, (1) enacting a partial smoking ban alone always improves social welfare (a) in an unregulated society and (b) even in a regulated society if externalities can be eliminated, and (2) it is ensured that a combination of Pigouvian tax and a partial smoking ban leads to a higher social optimum than implementing corrective Pigouvian taxation alone. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.100... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5136827 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 06:12:08 +0100 5136827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5115681&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F2n60np344178gh8p%2F Conclusion  The proposed methods for representing AD progression and economic outcomes can be used in micro-simulation models for the economic evaluation of new treatments. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0334-yAuthors Anders Gustavsson, i3 Innovus, Klarabergsviadukten 90 Hus D, 111 64 Stockholm, SwedenLinus Jönsson, i3 Innovus, Klarabergsviadukten 90 Hus D, 111 64 Stockholm, SwedenJohan Parmler, EPSI Rating, London, UKNiels Andreasen, Department of Neurobiology Caring Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SwedenCarina Wattmo, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, SwedenÅsa K. Wallin, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5115681 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 05:54:22 +0100 5115681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5105676&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fu254842v801q2496%2F Abstract  During the last 30 years, health care expenditure (HCE) has been growing much more rapidly than GDP in OECD countries. In this paper, we review the determinants of HCE dynamics in Europe, taking into account the role of income, aging population, technological progress, female labor participation and public budgetary variables. We show that HCE is a multifaceted phenomenon where demographic, social, economic, technological and institutional factors all play an important role. The comparison of total, public and private HCE reveals an imbalance of European welfare toward the care of the elderly. European Governments should increasingly rely on pluralistic systems to balance sustainability and access and equilibrate the distribution of resources across the funct... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5105676 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:33:46 +0100 5105676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5075123&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fa340681775771108%2F This study investigates the effect of per capita income on per capita health expenditures in Turkey over the period 1975–2007 by using ARDL bounds test approach to the cointegration considering both demand and supply side variables. Since we reject the null hypothesis that there is no cointegration among the series, we estimate long run and short run elasticities. The results show that while income has no effect on health expenditures in the long run, it is a necessity good in the short run that is a 1% increase in per capita income creates an 0.75% increase in per capita health expenditures. On the other hand, by examining the coefficient of demand and supply side variables, we found that average length of stay and number of physicians has negative effect, percentage of older peop... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5075123 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:02:25 +0100 5075123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5060948&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F6545w88j26172162%2F This report explores the problems with the language and concepts embodied within those HRQoL questionnaires and open discussion regarding how we can value the health of adolescents for cost-utility analysis in a larger study. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0340-0Authors Yemi Oluboyede, Academic Unit of Health Economics, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Charles Thackrah Building, Room 2.07, 101 Clarendon Road, Leeds, LS2 9LJ UKSandy Tubeuf, Academic Unit of Health Economics, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Charles Thackrah Building, Room 2.10, 101 Clarendon Road, Leeds, LS2 9LJ UKChris McCabe, Academic Unit of Health Economics, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Charles Thackrah Buil... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5060948 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:02:02 +0100 5060948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5016086&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F186627547523623t%2F Conclusions  The intervention of dual dispatch defibrillation by ambulance and fire services in the County of Stockholm had positive economic effects. For the cost-benefit analysis, the return on investment was high and the cost-effectiveness showed levels below the threshold value for economic efficiency used in Sweden. The cost-utility analysis categorises the cost per QALY as medium. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0338-7Authors Björn Sund, Swedish Business School, Örebro University, 702 82 Örebro, SwedenLeif Svensson, Department of Cardiology, South Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, SwedenMårten Rosenqvist, Department of Cardiology, South Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, SwedenJacob Hollenberg, Department of Card... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5016086 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:50:06 +0100 5016086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4996768&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fk0727518p1213941%2F Conclusion  Once monthly, golimumab is a cost-effective treatment alternative for patients with active PsA. With its patient-focussed attributes, golimumab is likely to offer additional choice in PsA treatment. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0335-xAuthors Ewen Cummins, McMaster Development Consultants Ltd, Glasgow, UKChristian Asseburg, ESiOR Oy, Kuopio, FinlandManishi Prasad, Schering-Plough Ltd, Kenilworth, USAJacqueline Buchanan, Buchanan Biotech Consultants, Mountain View, CA, USAYogesh Suresh Punekar, Schering-Plough Ltd, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1TW UK Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4996768 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:49:56 +0100 4996768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4973955&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fh6p7203386417hg2%2F Conclusion  This study shows that there is a potential demand for improved cessation medications. Broader usage could be reached through lower out-of-pocket price and greater efficacy. Secondary aspects such as side effects and weight gain should also be taken into consideration. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-16DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0333-zAuthors Joachim Marti, Faculty of Economics, Institute for Research in Economics, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4973955 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:54:05 +0100 4973955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4973957&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fu5r222475k231224%2F Conclusions  When compared against capecitabine alone, the addition of lapatinib has a cost-effectiveness ratio exceeding the threshold normally used by NICE. Compared with T + C, L + C is dominant in the base case and approximately equally likely to be cost-effective in probabilistic sensitivity analyses over a wide range of threshold values. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-15DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0323-1Authors Thomas E. Delea, Policy Analysis Inc. (PAI), Four Davis Court, Brookline, MA 02445, USAPaul Tappenden, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UKOleg Sofrygin, Policy Analysis Inc. (PAI), Four Davis Court, Brookline, MA 02445, USADominy Browning, GlaxoSmithKline, London, UKMayur M. Amonkar, ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4973957 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:44:15 +0100 4973957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4973956&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc6153744gv6307gl%2F Pharmaceutical patents, R&D incentives and access to new drugs: new ways of progress at the crossroad Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0336-9Authors Fernando Antoñanzas, Department of Economics and Business, University of La Rioja, C/La Ciguena 60, 26004 Logrono, SpainCarmelo Juárez-Castelló, Department of Economics and Business, University of La Rioja, C/La Ciguena 60, 26004 Logrono, SpainRoberto Rodríguez-Ibeas, Department of Economics and Business, University of La Rioja, C/La Ciguena 60, 26004 Logrono, Spain Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4973956 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:44:15 +0100 4973956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4966414&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj045w2v427006670%2F Discussion  Since the differences are obtained while controlling for confounders including neighborhood specific fixed effects at a highly detailed level, the lower costs and longer lives are unlikely to be related to differences in socioeconomic status. Possible explanations include selection (e.g. people with a low taste for medical interventions might be more likely to choose CAM) and better practices (e.g. less overtreatment, more focus on preventive and curative health promotion) by GPs with knowledge of complementary medicine. More controlled studies (replication studies, research based on more comprehensive data, cost-effectiveness studies on CAM for specific diagnostic categories) are indicated. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-033... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4966414 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 06:07:21 +0100 4966414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4966415&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F0772142211w56603%2F Abstract  Informal payments are deeply ingrained in the health care sector of most Central, Eastern and Southern European countries. Evidence suggests that the price paid informally to medical staff is negotiated either directly or indirectly between patients and medical staff. The aim of this paper is to measure the imperfect information that exists on the amount that has to be paid informally to medical staff. We measure the extent to which patients pay more than the amount medical staff expect informally and the extent to which medical staff request less than patients are willing to pay informally. A two-tiered stochastic frontier model is developed to estimate indicators of patients’ and medical staff’s imperfect information on informal payments and the effects on t... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4966415 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:38:28 +0100 4966415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4966416&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fp37j278vp6082418%2F We present the results of a randomized experiment to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of response incentives for a stated-preference survey of a general community population. The survey was administered using a mixed-mode approach, in which community members were invited to participate using a traditional mailed letter using contact information for a representative sample of the community; but individuals completed the survey via the web, which exploited the advantages of electronic capture. Individuals were randomized to four incentive groups: (a) no incentive, (b) prepaid cash incentive (2), (c) a low lottery (10 prizes of25) and (d) a high lottery (2 prizes of 250). Letters of invitation were mailed to 3,000 individuals. In total, 405 individuals (14.4 the highest conta... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4966416 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:34:29 +0100 4966416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4930642&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F3814l4x3w3456l02%2F Conclusion  The results show that evidence on the efficiency of P4P is scarce and inconclusive. P4P efficiency could not be demonstrated. The small number and variability of included studies limit the strength of our conclusions. More research addressing P4P efficiency is needed. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-13DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0329-8Authors Martin Emmert, Chair of Health Business Administration, Institute of Management (IFM), School of Business and Economics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Lange Gasse 20, 90403 Nuremberg, GermanyFrank Eijkenaar, Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsHeike Kemter, Chair of Health Business Administration, Institute of Management (IFM), School ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4930642 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 06:29:39 +0100 4930642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4930641&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fb02k7t59p0p5m670%2F Abstract  Home blood transfusion may be an interesting alternative to hospital transfusion, especially when given with curative or palliative intent or for terminal care in advanced-stage cancer patients. However, there is limited information about patients’ attitude toward this type of care. The purpose of this study was to measure French cancer patients’ willingness to pay (WTP) for home blood transfusion and to analyze determinants of their choice. A contingent valuation survey was administered to 139 patients receiving transfusions in the framework of a regional home care network or in the hospital outpatient department. Participation was high (90%). Most patients (65%) had received home care, including 43% blood transfusions. Just under half of the patients gave a ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4930641 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 06:29:39 +0100 4930641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4930644&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fa3q0732817750271%2F Abstract  Differences in health care utilization of immigrants 50 years of age and older relative to the native-born populations in eleven European countries are investigated. Negative binomial and zero-inflated Poisson regression are used to examine differences between immigrants and native-borns in number of doctor visits, visits to general practitioners, and hospital stays using the 2004 Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe database. In the pooled European sample and in some individual countries, older immigrants use from 13 to 20% more health services than native-borns after demographic characteristics are controlled. After controlling for the need for health care, differences between immigrants and native-borns in the use of physicians, but not hospi... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4930644 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 06:29:38 +0100 4930644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4930643&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj7v3l1q875032t2q%2F Conclusions  There is an increasing interest for economic health care evaluations in Spain, and the quality of the studies is also improving. Although a commonly accepted threshold exists, further information is needed for decision-making as well as to identify the relationship between the costs per LYG and per QALY gained. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-18DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0326-yAuthors José Manuel Rodríguez Barrios, Medtronic Iberica, Madrid, SpainFerran Pérez Alcántara, Oblikue Consulting, S.L, C/Josep Irla i Bosch, 5-7, 1ª Planta, 08034 Barcelona, SpainCarlos Crespo Palomo, Oblikue Consulting, S.L, C/Josep Irla i Bosch, 5-7, 1ª Planta, 08034 Barcelona, SpainPaloma González García, Medtronic Iberica, Madrid, SpainEnrique Antón De Las Heras, Medt... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4930643 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 06:29:38 +0100 4930643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4900200&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm131206g10t64x26%2F Conclusion  This study demonstrates the value of using existing data from national and local databases in contributing to estimating the cost of managing cancer. The findings illustrate the impact of biological agents on costs of cancer care and the potential of strategies promoting earlier diagnosis to reduce health care resource utilisation and care costs. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-14DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0325-zAuthors L. Tilson, National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 8, IrelandL. Sharp, National Cancer Registry Ireland, Cork Airport Business Park, Cork, IrelandC. Usher, National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 8, IrelandC. Walsh, National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, St James’s Hospital, Dubli... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4900200 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:59:40 +0100 4900200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4900201&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fyq6901261x177j62%2F Abstract  This paper examines the role of care decision processes on informal caring-time choices. We focus on three care decisions: the caregiver’s own decision, a family decision and a recipient request. Results show that informal caregivers, engaged in care activities as a result of a family decision, are more likely to devote more than 5 h to care activities, even after allowing for endogeneity. Our findings are robust to controlling for a large number of socio-demographic characteristics, including care recipient and caregiver characteristics. Supplemental analysis, developed to explore whether care arrangements are related to informal caregiver’s satisfaction, indicates that the family decision heavily penalizes informal caregivers. Given the importance of in... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4900201 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 06:08:35 +0100 4900201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4900202&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fx138q4608043l572%2F Abstract  In countries like UK and Australia, the comparability of model-based analyses is an essential aspect of reimbursement decisions for new pharmaceuticals, medical services and technologies. Within disease areas, the use of models with alternative structures, type of modelling techniques and/or data sources for common parameters reduces the comparability of evaluations of alternative technologies for the same condition. The aim of this paper is to propose a decision analytic model to evaluate long-term costs and benefits of alternative management options in patients with depression. The structure of the proposed model is based on the natural history of depression and includes clinical events that are important from both clinical and economic perspectives. Considering... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4900202 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 06:08:33 +0100 4900202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4900203&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fb7v7h72211u8777h%2F Abstract  In order to understand the health care system a country chooses to adopt or the health care reform a country decides to undertake, one must first be able to measure a country’s attitude toward social health insurance. Our primary goal was to develop a construct that allows us to measure this “attitude toward social health insurance”. Using a sample of 724 students from the People’s Republic of China, Germany, and the United States and an initial set of sixteen items, we extract a scale that measures the basic attitude toward social health insurance in the three countries. The scale is internally consistent in each of the three countries. A secondary factor labeled “government responsibility” is marginally consistent for the total sample and for the Ger... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4900203 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 06:00:30 +0100 4900203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4851695&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F2892640432320287%2F Conclusions  Economic evaluation of genetic technologies matters but the number of published studies is still rather low as to be widely used for most of the decisions in different jurisdictions across the EU. Further, the decision bodies across EU27 are fragmented and the responsibilities are located at different levels of the decision process for what it is difficult to find out whether a given decision on genetic tests was somehow supported by the economic evaluation results. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-11DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0319-xAuthors Fernando Antoñanzas, Department of Economics, University of La Rioja, La Cigüeña 60, 26004 Logroño, SpainR. Rodríguez-Ibeas, Department of Economics, University of La Rioja, La Cigüeña 60, 26004 Logroño, Spain... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4851695 Thu, 19 May 2011 16:36:45 +0100 4851695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4851696&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fuq27r6q07104r050%2F Abstract  Understanding the factors that determine the type and amount of formal care is important for predicting use in the future and developing long-term policy. In this context, we jointly analyze the provision of care at both the extensive (choice of care) and the intensive margin (number of hours of care received). In particular, we estimate and test, for the first time in this area of research, a sample selection model with the particularities that the first step is a multinomial logit model and the hours of care is an interval variable. Our results support the complementary and task-specific models which evidence has been found in other countries. Furthermore, we obtain evidence of substitution between formal and informal care for the male, young, married and unmarr... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4851696 Tue, 17 May 2011 06:15:14 +0100 4851696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4838237&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fjttj45p21r013487%2F Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-4DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0320-4Authors Martin J. Buxton, Health Economics Research Group, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middx, UB8 3PH UKJames D. Chambers, Health Economics Research Group, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middx, UB8 3PH UK Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4838237 Sat, 14 May 2011 15:54:46 +0100 4838237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4838238&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F25352321213g7202%2F Abstract  The time tradeoff (TTO) method is often used to derive Quality-Adjusted Life Year health state valuations. An important problem with this method is that results have been found to be responsive to the procedure used to elicit preferences. In particular, fixing the duration in the health state to be valued and inferring the duration in full health that renders an individual indifferent, causes valuations to be higher than when the duration in full health is fixed and the duration in the health state to be valued is elicited. This paper presents a new test of procedural invariance for a broad range of time horizons, while using a choice-based design and adjusting for discounting. As one of the known problems with the conventional procedure is the violation of consta... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4838238 Sat, 14 May 2011 15:54:45 +0100 4838238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4818718&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fn307t7352223421n%2F Conclusion  The results of the study suggest that smokers are aware of the risks associated with tobacco consumption, know about effective strategies to quit smoking, and are willing to quit for health-related reasons. In contrast, there was no evidence for changes in health-related behaviour among obese individuals after a health shock. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0316-0Authors Leonie Sundmacher, Department of Health Care Management, Berlin University of Technology, H80, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4818718 Wed, 11 May 2011 06:25:53 +0100 4818718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810998&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ft233n4615n68q708%2F Abstract  A stream of studies on evaluation of health care services and public goods have developed tests of the preference axioms of completeness and transitivity and methods for detecting other preference phenomena such as unstability, learning- and tiredness effects, and random error, in stated preference discrete choice experiments. This methodological paper tries to identify the role of the preference axioms and other preference phenomena in the context of such experiments and discusses whether or how such axioms and phenomena can be subject to meaningful (statistical) tests. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0312-4Authors Jens Leth Hougaard, Institute of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkTue Tjur, ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810998 Wed, 04 May 2011 14:55:46 +0100 4810998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4787201&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fw08l4tq436233680%2F This study compares the cost effectiveness of a secondary prevention intervention for a combined patient population relative to three selected subgroups: patients aged over 70 years; patients with a diagnosis other than angina only (that is, patients with a history of myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft and/or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty); and patients with diabetes. The results for the general population have been published elsewhere, but ongoing budget constraints require consideration of the appropriateness of targeting resources to patient subgroups. We adopt a probabilistic model to combine within trial and beyond trial impacts of treatment to estimate the lifetime health care costs and quality-adjusted life years of two primary care-based... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4787201 Mon, 02 May 2011 14:59:56 +0100 4787201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4779073&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl1831201334u3qh5%2F Conclusion  Only a small part of the surplus value generated was appropriated by the producer. A regulatory and reimbursement approach that favors early market access and coverage with evidence development as opposed to long-term trials as a pre-requisite for launch is more attractive from both a company and social perspective. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0315-1Authors Peter Lindgren, Innovus, Stockholm, Sweden and Division of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Klarabergsviadukten 90 D, Stockholm, SwedenBengt Jönsson, Centre for Health Economics, Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4779073 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 05:42:00 +0100 4779073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744523&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F4464r861712103h7%2F Abstract  An important element of the process by which new drugs achieve widespread use is their adoption by GPs. In this paper, we explore the factors that shape the timing of the first prescription of six new drugs by General Practitioners in Ireland. Our analysis is based on a dataset that matches prescription data with data on GP characteristics. We then use duration analysis to explore both equilibrium and non-equilibrium determinants of prescribing innovation. Our study highlights a range of commonalities across all of the drugs considered and suggests the importance of GP and practice characteristics in shaping prescribing decisions. We also find strongly significant, and consistently signed, stock and order effects across these drugs: GPs who have a track record of ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4744523 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 07:20:03 +0100 4744523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744524&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm154127778543024%2F Conclusions  We do not detect any socioeconomic barriers associated with making a first contact with primary health services for the users analyzed. However, we do note evidence of horizontal inequity in terms of attending health services, related to variables that ought to affect use of health care as well as socioeconomic factors (variables that ought not to affect use of health care). The user’s origin is an important key in detecting different intensities of access and regular visits to primary health care services. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0313-3Authors Carme Saurina, CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, SpainLaura Vall-llosera, CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Healt... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4744524 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 05:51:19 +0100 4744524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4730870&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F5l67kp06744h5274%2F Conclusions  Eptifibatide is likely to be dominant strategy with 77.7 and 96.7% of the simulations leading to QALYs gained and generating cost savings from both the hospital and the third-party payer perspective. Eptifibatide offsets its additional treatment costs by avoiding costly repeat procedures and leads to positive QALY gains by preventing cardiovascular events lending themselves to transient or permanent lower quality of life. The method used to extrapolate the short-term risks did not impact on results, mainly due to similar clinical risk profiles between the two treatment groups in the long term. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-11DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0310-6Authors Sarah Dewilde, Services in Health Economics, Rue des Eburons 55, 1000 Brussels, Belgiu... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4730870 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 05:51:24 +0100 4730870 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4691577&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F014p20017u050412%2F In conclusion, comprehensive lipid management with ERN/LRPT 2 g is cost-effective in secondary prevention patients in Germany who have not achieved LDL-C goal with simvastatin monotherapy. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0309-zAuthors Galin V. Michailov, Outcomes Research Department, MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH, Haar, GermanyGlenn M. Davies, Health Economic Statistics, Merck & Co. Inc., Upper Gwynedd, PA, USAKarl J. Krobot, Outcomes Research Department, MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH, Haar, Germany Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4691577 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:04:48 +0100 4691577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4675303&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ff8113332775t203h%2F Conclusion  The results demonstrate that antipsychotic co-prescribing is associated with increased use of health care services, even though no causal relations can be inferred from an observational study. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0308-0Authors Lone Baandrup, Centre for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services - Capital Region of Denmark, Glostrup, Nordre Ringvej 29-67, 2600 Glostrup, DenmarkJan Sørensen, Centre for Applied Health Services Research and Technology Assessment, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, DenmarkHenrik Lublin, Centre for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services - Capital Region of Denmark, Glostrup, ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4675303 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:22:39 +0100 4675303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4651109&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fy188698277n2m2p0%2F Abstract  The purpose of this study was to determine cancer-related medical care costs for long-term cancer care costs of breast, cervical, liver, lung, and colorectal cancer. Data were sourced from Taipei Veterans General Hospital cancer registry and claim data during 1999–2002. Besides, claimed data from National Health Insurance were used to match the comparison group. To estimate lifetime cost (10 years), the whole disease process was divided into initial, continuing, and terminal three phases. The expected lifetime cost of a specific cancer patient was estimated by incorporating the average phase-specific costs with the survival rate and mortality rate. The undiscounted average lifetime costs (10 years) for lung cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, cerv... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4651109 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 05:54:57 +0100 4651109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4620693&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl645228472004734%2F This study analyzes data on out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditures to look into the impact of reforms on the size of OOP health expenditures for premium-based public insurees. The study uses Household Budget Surveys that provide a range of individual- and household-level data as well as healthcare expenditures for the years 2003, before the reforms, and 2006, after the reforms. Results show that with the reforms ratio of households with non-zero OOP expenditure has increased. Share and level of OOP expenditures have decreased. The impact varies across income levels. A semi-parametric analysis shows that wealthier individuals benefited more in terms of the decrease in OOP health expenditures. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0306-2Authors Burcay... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4620693 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:47:45 +0100 4620693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4589240&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fgn2006162584p756%2F Conclusion  Public policies should pay more attention to inequalities in access to community care. They also should better support informal care, through respite care or workplace accommodations (working hours rescheduling or reduction for instance) not detrimental for the career of working caregivers. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0305-3Authors Alain Paraponaris, INSERM, U912 (SE4S), 23 rue Stanislas Torrents, 13006 Marseille, FranceBérengère Davin, INSERM, U912 (SE4S), 23 rue Stanislas Torrents, 13006 Marseille, FrancePierre Verger, INSERM, U912 (SE4S), 23 rue Stanislas Torrents, 13006 Marseille, France Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of H... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4589240 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:52:49 +0100 4589240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4558419&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F404558222u142j24%2F Conclusions  This analysis showed that, with a 470,000 kr (€50,000) per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold, once-weekly etanercept 50 mg, used intermittently, is a cost-effective treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis compared with adalimumab and non-systemic standard of care. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-12DOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0293-8Authors Christopher Knight, RTI Health Solutions, Velocity House Business and Conference Centre, 3 Solly Street, Sheffield, S1 4DE UKJosephine Mauskopf, RTI Health Solutions, 200 Park Offices Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194, USAMats Ekelund, Pfizer Inc., Solna, SwedenAmitabh Singh, Pfizer Inc., 500 Arcola Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USAShiyi Yang, Pfizer Inc., 500 Arcola Road, Collegeville, PA 1... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4558419 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:52:10 +0100 4558419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4539608&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fa406302m67116290%2F Abstract  A case-mix project started in the Netherlands with the primary goal to define a complete set of health care products for hospitals. The definition of the product structure was completed 4 years later. The results are currently being used for billing purposes. This paper focuses on the methodology and techniques that were developed and applied in order to define the casemix product structure. The central research question was how to develop a manageable product structure, i.e., a limited set of hospital products, with acceptable cost homogeneity. For this purpose, a data warehouse with approximately 1.5 million patient records from 27 hospitals was build up over a period of 3 years. The data associated with each patient consist of a large number of a prio... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4539608 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:34:18 +0100 4539608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4539609&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe23588102g2wj6l8%2F Abstract  Improving operations and delivery of cost-effective healthcare services is considered to be an important area of investigation due to the challenges in allocation of resources in meeting the increasing cost of health care for the twenty-first century. To date, appropriate mechanisms for systematic evaluation of hospital operations and its impact of the delivery of cost-effective healthcare services are lacking. This is, perhaps, the first study, which focuses on using large insurance claims data to develop a social network-based model for exploring the effect of patient–doctor tie strength and patient socio-demographic factors for exploring the social structure of operations and delivery of cost-effective healthcare services. We suggest that delivery of cost-eff... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4539609 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:14:25 +0100 4539609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4520968&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fuu528l4125684220%2F Abstract  There is a paucity of empirical evidence on the extent to which price and perceived benefits affect the level of participation in sports and exercise. Using an illustrative sample of 60 adults at Brunel University, West London, we investigate the determinants of demand for sports and exercise. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews that covered indicators of sports and exercise behaviour; money/time price and perceived benefits of participation; and socio-economic/demographic details. Count, linear and probit regression models were fitted as appropriate. Seventy eight per cent of the sample participated in sports and exercise and spent an average of £27 per month and an average of 20 min travelling per occasion of sports and exercise. The de... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4520968 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:04:52 +0100 4520968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4463396&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F317316w380x36470%2F Abstract  For empirical analysis and policy-oriented recommendations, the precise measurement of individual health or well-being is essential. The difficulty is that the answer may depend on individual reporting behaviour. Moreover, if an individual’s health perception varies with certain attitudes of the respondent, reporting heterogeneity may lead to index or cut-point shifts of the health distribution, causing estimation problems. An index shift is a parallel shift in the thresholds of the underlying distribution of health categories. In contrast, a cut-point shift means that the relative position of the thresholds changes, implying different response behaviour. Our paper aims to detect how socioeconomic determinants and health experiences influence the individual valu... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4463396 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:23:01 +0100 4463396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4463397&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ftg265734564549n7%2F Abstract  The incremental net benefit (INB) and the related acceptability curves for public health programs provide valuable tools for decision making. We proposed to apply them to the assessment of mass screening of colorectal cancer. The now standard guaiac fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is already implemented in several countries. We considered the innovative immunological FOBT and computed tomography colonography (CTC) as competing screening technologies. Using biennial guaiac FOBT as the reference strategy, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of the following alternatives: biennial immunological FOBT, CTC every 5 years (strategy CTC5), and CTC every 10 years (strategy CTC10). Over a 30-year horizon and from the perspective of a third-party payer, we developed... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4463397 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:23:00 +0100 4463397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4441562&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fk735n4w485400521%2F This study investigates the determinants of regional variations in health care expenditures (HCE) in Switzerland, since there are significant differences between cantons per capita HCE. The empirical analysis contributes to the discussion on the outcome of federalism in the Swiss health care system by improving the understanding of the determinants of the differences in HCE. Our econometric estimations indicate that HCE are significantly related to the density of specialist physicians, density of dispensing doctors, per capita income, proportion of managed care, medical and technological progress and socio-economic factors. Due to the presumptive importance of the organisation of ambulatory care, we suggest policy makers should particularly concentrate on promoting the supply of mana... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4441562 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:57:37 +0100 4441562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4417991&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fr06t4323rg427g02%2F Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0297-zAuthors Bengt Jönsson, Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4417991 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:46:26 +0100 4417991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4410528&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F6615101wv4311052%2F Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0298-yAuthors Livio Garattini, CESAV, Centre of Health Economics, Via Camozzi, 3 c/o Villa Camozzi, 24020 Ranica (Bergamo), ItalyAnna Padula, CESAV, Centre of Health Economics, Via Camozzi, 3 c/o Villa Camozzi, 24020 Ranica (Bergamo), Italy Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4410528 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:15:47 +0100 4410528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4376453&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq044j5t32601vt4l%2F Conclusion  The additional efficacy of meropenem translates into more patients surviving critical care and leaving this high-cost service more quickly than if they had been treated with piperacillin/tazobactam. As meropenem is more effective and less expensive than piperacillin/tazobactam at treating patients with severe pneumonia, it is the dominant treatment option. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-12DOI 10.1007/s10198-011-0296-0Authors Steven J. Edwards, Kellogg College, University of Oxford, 62 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6PN UKSarah Wordsworth, Health Economics Research Centre, Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKMike J. Clarke, UK Cochrane Centre, National Institute for Health Research, Oxford, UK Journal The European Journal of... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4376453 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:05:14 +0100 4376453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4341810&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ft4664647r5458773%2F Abstract  We extend the theoretical literature on the impact of malpractice liability by allowing for two treatment technologies, a safe and a risky one. The safe technology bears no failure risk, but leads to patient-specific disutility since it cannot completely solve the health problems. By contrast, the risky technology (for instance a surgery) may entirely cure patients, but fail with some probability depending on the hospital’s care level. Tight malpractice liability increases care levels if the risky technology is chosen at all, but also leads to excessively high incentives for avoiding the liability exposure by adopting the safe technology. We refer to this distortion toward the safe technology as negative defensive medicine. Taking the problem of negative defensiv... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4341810 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:11:41 +0100 4341810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4326704&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F77567g4480811738%2F Abstract  This paper examines the reaction of general practitioners (GPs) to a reform in 2004 in the remuneration system for using laboratory services in general practice. The purpose of this paper is to study whether income motivation exists regarding the use of laboratory services in general practice, and if so, the degree of income motivation among general practitioners (GPs) in Norway. We argue that the degree of income motivation is stronger when the physicians are uncertain about the utility of the laboratory service in question. We have panel data from actual physician–patient encounters in general practices in the years 2001–2004 and use discrete choice analysis and random effects models. Estimation results show that an increase in the fees will lead to a small ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4326704 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:54:14 +0100 4326704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4280228&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl22605883307210p%2F Abstract  Over the last decades, methods for the economic evaluation of health care technologies were increasingly used to inform reimbursement decisions. For a short time, the German Statutory Health Insurance makes use of these methods to support reimbursement decisions on patented drugs. In this context, the discounting procedure emerges as a critical component of these methods, as discount rates can strongly affect the resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. The aim of this paper is to identify the appropriate value of a social discount rate to be used by the German Statutory Health Insurance for the economic evaluation of health technologies. On theoretical grounds, we build on the widespread view of contemporary economists that the social rate of time prefere... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4280228 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:20:09 +0100 4280228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4274460&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F8672183w85r8537m%2F Conclusion  This study shows that the favourable health benefit of the use of a specific mixture of prebiotics results in positive short- and long-term health economic benefits. In addition, this study demonstrates that the use of infant formula with a specific mixture of prebiotics is a highly cost-effective way of preventing atopic dermatitis in The Netherlands. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0289-4Authors I. Lenoir-Wijnkoop, Scientific Affairs, Danone Research, Palaiseau, FranceW. M. C. van Aalderen, Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Emma Children’s Hospital Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsG. Boehm, Centre for Specialised Nutrition, Danone Research, Friedrichsdorf, GermanyD. Klaassen, Centre for Spec... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4274460 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:25:12 +0100 4274460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4270737&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj665776705n1000r%2F Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0291-xAuthors J.-Matthias Graf von der Schulenburg, Department for Health Economics, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, GermanyWolfgang Greiner, Department for Health Economics, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4270737 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 06:40:04 +0100 4270737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4240718&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fh040pl3132l2422l%2F Abstract  Using data from a survey sample of people 65 years of age and older living in Seoul and Chuncheon, Korea, this paper assesses whether the level of social capital affects elderly individuals’ use of medical care. As an econometric model, Heckman’s Sample Selection model and the 2SLS method were used to control the endogeneity problem of patient’s trust on doctors. The results of our estimations indicate that the level of social capital exerts a positive effect on elderly individuals’ use of medical care indirectly, via its positive effect on the level of trust in doctors. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0288-5Authors Jae-Young Lim, Department of Food and Resource Economics, College of Life Science, Korea University, Seoul, Korea... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4240718 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:06:58 +0100 4240718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4240717&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fr84502216l862564%2F Conclusions  After removing the effect of background variables, 15D utilities remain sensitive to CHD and DR. The obvious explanation is its richer descriptive system, which provides increased discriminative ability compared to EQ-5D and SF-6D, and this might be evidence for preferring the 15D in economic evaluations of interventions for diabetics. However, the need remains for further testing in other diabetes complications and more diverse patient samples. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0290-yAuthors Nick Kontodimopoulos, Faculty of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Bouboulinas 57-59, 26222 Patras, GreeceEvelina Pappa, Faculty of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Bouboulinas 57-59, 26222 Patras, GreeceZinovia Chadjiapostolou, ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4240717 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:06:58 +0100 4240717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4188775&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fw77330120051x612%2F Abstract  In the debate about laws regulating smoking in restaurants and pubs, there has been some controversy as to whether smoke-free laws would reduce revenues in the hospitality industry. Norway presents an interesting case for three reasons. First, it was among the first countries to implement smoke-free laws, so it is possible to assess the long-term effects. Second, it has a cold climate so if there is a negative effect on revenue one would expect to find it in Norway. Third, the data from Norway are detailed enough to distinguish between revenue from pubs and restaurants. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) intervention analysis of bi-monthly observations of revenues in restaurants and pubs show that the law did not have a statistically significant long... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4188775 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:01:57 +0100 4188775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4188776&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe42q17803q5v8362%2F Abstract  The randomized, double-blind trial UPLIFT® demonstrated in 5,993 patients with moderate to very severe COPD that 4 years of tiotropium bromide therapy were associated with improvements in lung function, exacerbations, quality of life, and mortality compared with placebo. The pharmacoeconomic evaluation was performed through a probabilistic, patient-level simulation Markov model. Routine COPD care (RC) was compared with the inclusion of tiotropium bromide on it. The analysis was conducted over a lifetime horizon, with 1 year cycles and a 3.5% annual discount rate. Patients were characterized by gender, age, height, smoking status, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). FEV1 time trend was modeled according to the annual decline recorded in UPLIF... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4188776 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:04:42 +0100 4188776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4181865&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F7918353290636711%2F Abstract  Health economic aspects have been increasingly important during introduction of new treatments for multiple sclerosis. As a partial response for Norway, a cost-of-illness study was carried out to estimate the yearly cost of the illness to society and relate costs and patients’ quality of life to illness severity. Estimated cost to society was Euro 439 million in 2002 exclusive of the cost of reduced quality of life. The cost per patient was close to Euro 65,000. Account taken of methodological differences, the results compare to results for Sweden, Norway’s closest neighboring country. The illness reduced patients’ quality of life with 0.26. More patients were early retired because of their MS in Norway than in any of nine other European countries comprised ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4181865 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:09:44 +0100 4181865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4131301&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm77lu70711l72223%2F Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0284-9Authors Gérard de Pouvourville, ESSEC Business School, 95021 Cergy Pontoise Cedex, France Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4131301 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:21:06 +0100 4131301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4094539&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fct54257682103244%2F Conclusions  This is the first study to calculate costs due to CD and UC from the perspective of the SHI in Germany and to identify cost-driving factors. It confirms a high economic burden of IBD to payers and society. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0281-zAuthors Anne Prenzler, Leibniz University Hannover, Center for Health Economics, Koenigsworther Platz 1, 30167 Hannover, GermanyBernd Bokemeyer, Gastroenterology Practice Minden, Minden, GermanyJ.-Matthias von der Schulenburg, Leibniz University Hannover, Center for Health Economics, Koenigsworther Platz 1, 30167 Hannover, GermanyThomas Mittendorf, Leibniz University Hannover, Center for Health Economics, Koenigsworther Platz 1, 30167 Hannover, Germany Journal The European Journal of Health... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4094539 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:15:43 +0100 4094539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4094540&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fw0g4m138upq51171%2F Abstract  A critical question in cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) is what costs should be included. In an earlier paper in this journal, I argued that the same principle (internal consistency) that has been applied to the discussion about future non-medical costs should also be applied to the case when survival is not affected. Internal consistency in this case implies that a cost should only be included if its corresponding utility is also included. As Quality-Adjusted Life-Years can rarely be considered to be consistent with a broad definition of utility, I built a case for recommending to not including the costs for changes in consumption and absence from work (whereas changes in the productivity at work may still be included) when applying a welfare theoretic foundatio... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4094540 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:30:35 +0100 4094540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4084939&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fmw143253ujpk1215%2F Abstract  This is a comment on a recent paper by Bengt Liljas (Eur J Health Econ 11:5–13, 2010) in this Journal. The author’s analysis is flawed because he fails to take the envelope theorem into account. As a bottom line, we conclude that from a welfare theoretic point of view, future consumption and future labor hours should not be considered in a valid CEA. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0282-yAuthors Friedrich Breyer, Department of Economics, University of Konstanz, Fach 135, 78457 Constance, Germany Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4084939 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:09:13 +0100 4084939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4021535&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fa208764t20343244%2F Discussion  The economic implications of overweight and obesity are, to some extent, already visible in childhood. The results suggest that obese children should be classified as priority group for prevention. Despite limitations, this study provides important information concerning the relevance of childhood obesity as a health problem. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0278-7Authors Christina M. Wenig, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich School of Management, Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management and Munich Centre of Health Sciences, Ludwigstr. 28 RG, 80539 Munich, Germany Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4021535 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 05:45:04 +0100 4021535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4010354&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fb75n48g477781m5g%2F Conclusion  This paper contains cost figures for use in cost-effectiveness analyses, when the societal perspective is adopted and future consumption and production effects are taken into account. The net consumption varies considerably with age. Inclusion of net incremental consumption in the cost-effectiveness analysis will markedly affect the relative cost-effectiveness of interventions targeted at different age groups. Omitting future cost from cost-effectiveness analysis may bias the ranking of health care interventions and favour interventions aimed at older age groups. We used Danish data for this assessment, and our results will therefore not represent true figures for other countries. We do, however, believe that the overall impact of including net production value ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4010354 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:50:00 +0100 4010354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4000814&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F76p520802q680702%2F Abstract  Like many other countries, the Netherlands has a health insurance system that combines mandatory basic insurance with voluntary supplementary insurance. Both types of insurance are founded on different principles. Since basic and supplementary insurance are sold by the same health insurers, both markets may interact. This paper examines to what extent basic and supplementary insurance are linked to each other and whether these links generate spillover effects of supplementary on basic insurance. Our analysis is based on an investigation into supplementary health insurance contracts, underwriting procedures and annual surveys among 1,700–2,100 respondents over the period 2006–2009. We find that health insurers increasingly use a variety of strategies to enforce... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4000814 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 05:46:24 +0100 4000814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3991800&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc2706446725q277u%2F Abstract  The aim of this paper is to analyze the determinants of regional health-care expenditure in Spain. The coexistence of several models concerning the degree of spending power decentralization and financing systems makes Spain a singular case. It also allows us to draw conclusions relevant to other countries in decentralizing their health-care systems, and to understand cross-country differences with estimated parameters. Using data from the Spanish regions for the period 1992–2005, we show that the estimated health public expenditure income elasticity does change depending on the omission of relevant variables, econometric specifications and techniques, and institutional arrangements. Moreover, while demographic structure is a very relevant factor when explaining... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3991800 Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:59:03 +0100 3991800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3991801&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F477hx26326t61467%2F Abstract  In 2005, competition was introduced in part of the hospital market in the Netherlands. Using a unique dataset of transactions and list prices between hospitals and insurers in the years 2005 and 2006, we estimate the influence of buyer and seller concentration on the negotiated prices. First, we use a traditional structure–conduct–performance model (SCP-model) along the lines of Melnick et al. (J Health Econ 11(3): 217–233, 1992) to estimate the effects of buyer and seller concentration on price–cost margins. Second, we model the interaction between hospitals and insurers in the context of a generalized bargaining model similar to Brooks et al. (J Health Econ 16: 417–434, 1997). In the SCP-model, we find that the market shares of hospitals (insurers) hav... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3991801 Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:59:02 +0100 3991801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3981791&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F683k524r00426n16%2F This article purports to advance the literature on the impact of presumed consent laws on deceased donation rates by examining the interactions between a presumed consent legal regime and other customs and institutions, using data on health expenditure, death rates caused by cerebro vascular diseases, motor vehicle accidents and homicides, legislation, legal systems, family consent, civil rights and liberties and donor registry systems, for 24 countries over a 14-year period. Countries in which presumed consent is enacted exhibit significantly higher donation rates only if family consent is routinely sought and a combined registry is maintained or neither practice is administered. Otherwise, presumed consent legislation does not have a sizeable impact on deceased donation rates. ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3981791 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 06:45:03 +0100 3981791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3932125&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F62414516186l82r4%2F Conclusions  The present analysis suggests that ZOL saves costs and increases QALYs compared to placebo in French, German, and UK RCC patients with bone metastases. Additional prospective research may be needed to confirm these results in a larger sample of patients. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0272-0Authors M. F. Botteman, Health Economics, Pharmerit International, 4530 East-West Highway, #430, Bethesda, MD 20814, USAM. Meijboom, Health Economics, Pharmerit International, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsI. Foley, Health Economics, Pharmerit International, 4530 East-West Highway, #430, Bethesda, MD 20814, USAJ. M. Stephens, Health Economics, Pharmerit International, 4530 East-West Highway, #430, Bethesda, MD 20814, USAY. M. Chen, Health Economics, Nov... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3932125 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:36:44 +0100 3932125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3932124&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe008gr7416205k61%2F Abstract  The growth in expenditure on the financing of pharmaceuticals is a factor that accounts for a large part of the increase in public health spending in most developed countries. In an attempt to kerb this growth, many health authorities, particularly in Europe, have introduced numerous regulatory measures that have affected the market, especially on the supply side. These measures include the system of reference pricing, the reduction of wholesale distributors’ and retailers’ markups and compulsory reductions of ex-factory prices. We assess the impact of these cost containment measures on expenditure per capita, prescriptions per capita and the average price of pharmaceuticals financed by the public sector in Catalonia (Spain), from 1995 to 2006. We apply an aut... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3932124 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:36:44 +0100 3932124 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3919246&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm405741475577wx6%2F Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0275-xAuthors David Crainich, CNRS/LEM (UMR 8179), IÉSEG School of Management, Lille, FranceHervé Leleu, CNRS/LEM (UMR 8179), IÉSEG School of Management, Lille, FranceAna Mauleon, FNRS and CEREC, Facultés Universitaires Saint-Louis, and CORE, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3919246 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:53:13 +0100 3919246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3919247&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fnl71431ru0308682%2F This study focussed on decisions about the initial price and reimbursement status of innovative drugs and discussed the consequences for market access and cost. Four countries were studied: Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. These countries have operated one, or both, of the two policies at certain points in time, sometimes in parallel. Drugs in four groups were considered: cholesterol-lowering agents, insulin analogues, biologic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis and “atypical” drugs for schizophrenia. Compared with HTA, reference pricing is a relatively blunt instrument for obtaining value for money from pharmaceuticals. Thus, its role in making reimbursement decisions should be limited to drugs which are therapeutically equivalent. HTA is a superior strategy ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3919247 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 05:56:14 +0100 3919247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3884235&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fx7t9867n06357u41%2F Abstract  Changing the status of drugs from prescription-only to over-the-counter and removing them from reimbursement list has been used as a cost reduction measure by several third-party payers. In June 2006, the Turkish government, in an effort to curtail costs, removed many prescription drugs from the reimbursement list. This paper examines the effect of this policy on the expenditures for drugs that were removed from the reimbursement list and for their reimbursable alternatives that can be prescribed by physicians on patient request. To accomplish these goals, actual expenditures in four anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) groups were compared with expected expenditures in the absence of policy change for both removed and alternative drugs. The findings indicated tha... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3884235 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:46:27 +0100 3884235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3833060&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq38217136qh3472l%2F Abstract  Anxiety and fear are often associated with chronic conditions such as cancer. This paper targets the cost-effectiveness analysis of a cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBT) in comparison to a client-centered, supportive-experiential group therapy (SET) in cancer patients with dysfunctional fear of progression. An incremental cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using data from a randomized controlled trial among cancer patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation. The means, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI], incremental cost-effectiveness graphic and acceptability curve were obtained from 1,000 bootstrap replications. A total of 174 patients were included in the economic evaluation. The estimated means [95% CI] of direct costs and reduction of fear of progr... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3833060 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:46:23 +0100 3833060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3820014&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F7211587907026827%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0269-8Authors J.-Matthias Graf von der Schulenburg, Leibniz Universität Hannover Königsworther Platz 1 30167 Hannover Germany Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3820014 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:23:58 +0100 3820014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3820015&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fw5w0285811715850%2F Conclusions  Compared to benchmarking of departments based solely on their costs, we show that the ranking of departments may be altered considerably when quality is taken into account. Consequently, it is important to have a well-rounded view of departmental objectives when undertaking performance evaluation. The results for mortality may lend some support to the theory of a U-shaped cost/quality relationship. However, the results for wound complications do not support the theory of a U-shaped cost/quality relationship. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0268-9Authors Anne Hvenegaard, Danish Institute for Health Services Research 27-29 Dampfaergevej 2100 Copenhagen DenmarkJacob Nielsen Arendt, University of Southern Denmark I... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3820015 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:01:20 +0100 3820015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3807147&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F61l7365447544696%2F Abstract  This paper estimates cost efficiency scores using the bootstrap bias-corrected procedure, including variables for teaching and research, for the performance of university hospitals in the Nordic countries. Previous research has shown that hospital provision of research and education interferes with patient care routines and inflates the costs of health care services, turning university hospitals into outliers in comparative productivity and efficiency analyses. The organisation of patient care, medical education and clinical research as well as available data at the university hospital level are highly similar in the Nordic countries, creating a data set of comparable decision-making units suitable for a cross-country cost efficiency analysis. The results demonstr... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3807147 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:06:19 +0100 3807147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3775433&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fp740158212t11214%2F Abstract  The convergence/divergence of health care systems between countries is an interesting facet of the health care system research from a macroeconomic perspective. In this paper, we concentrate on an important dimension of every health care system, namely the convergence/divergence of health care financing (HCF). Based on data from 22 OECD countries in the time period 1970–2005, we use the public financing ratio (public financing in % of total HCF) and per capita public HCF as indicators for convergence. By applying different concepts of convergence, we find that HCF is converging. This conclusion also holds when we look at smaller subgroups of countries and shorter time periods. However, we find evidence that countries do not move towards a common mean and that th... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3775433 Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:11:20 +0100 3775433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3775434&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ff3374w64p4357l78%2F Conclusions  The results demonstrate that non-antidementive therapy for Alzheimer’s disease causes higher costs especially for care. The memantine group proved to be superior compared to PHS group and no AT group, despite higher costs in the specific drug category. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0267-xAuthors Peter Kiencke, Institute of Empirical Health Economics Am Ziegelfeld 28 51399 Burscheid GermanyDietmar Daniel, Institute of Empirical Health Economics Am Ziegelfeld 28 51399 Burscheid GermanyChristine Grimm, Institute of Empirical Health Economics Am Ziegelfeld 28 51399 Burscheid GermanyReinhard Rychlik, Institute of Empirical Health Economics Am Ziegelfeld 28 51399 Burscheid Germany Journal The European Journal... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3775434 Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:11:19 +0100 3775434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3742049&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F75704u5kl65j2754%2F Abstract  A constant refrain of policy makers and public representatives is the necessity of improving the quality of public health services. In this paper, two inter-related policies designed to raise the quality of pharmacy services in Ireland are considered. The first was to restrict the opening of new pharmacies, the second to increase the quality of pharmacy services through contract specification. While the first policy restricted entry and raised returns to existing pharmacies, there is no evidence it raised service quality. Equally, the second policy appears to have had little effect on the quality of pharmacy services. The contractual provision itself is largely unenforceable, does not recognize the conflicting motivations of a pharmacist and results in no measurab... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3742049 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:18:35 +0100 3742049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3736114&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F7m76v22384681t56%2F Conclusions  The cost database created made it possible to create a CW scale according to a technique which could constitute the first step of a PPS if advantages of a such financing system were established. In the Belgian context, it would be probably judicious to envisage regional databases allowing diversified methodological approaches whose results would be confronted, discussed, and coordinated at the federal level. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0262-2Authors M. Pirson, Ecole de Santé Publique de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles Département d’Economie de la Santé, CP592 806, Route de Lennik 1070 Bruxelles BelgiumC. Delo, Ecole de Santé Publique de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles Département d’Economie de... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3736114 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:01:27 +0100 3736114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3717422&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fuq6l152314707217%2F Conclusion  This is a comprehensive, nation-based cost analysis of AF where relevant data were derived from national registries covering the entire Swedish population. The results showed that the annual cost of AF was high in comparison with other diseases, but likely to be underestimated as a conservative approach was applied in the analysis. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original paperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0261-3Authors Lisa Ericson, Nordic Health Economic Research Sahlgrenska Science Park, Medicinaregatan 8a 413 46 Gothenburg SwedenLennart Bergfeldt, University of Gothenburg Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Cardiology, Sahlgrenska Academy Gothenburg SwedenIngela Björholt, Nordic Health Economic Research Sahlgrenska Science Park, Medicinaregat... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3717422 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:46:08 +0100 3717422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3709486&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F9j07k27w375n5051%2F Abstract  The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between ageing and the evolution of health care expenditure per capita in the EU-15 countries. A secondary purpose is to produce estimates that can be used in projections of future health care costs. Explanatory variables include economic, social, demographic and institutional variables as well as variables related to capacity and production technology in the health care sector. The study applies a co-integrated panel data regression approach to derive short-run relationships and furthermore reports long-run relationships between health care expenditure and the explanatory variables. Our findings suggest that there is a positive short-run effect of ageing on health care expenditure, but that the long-run... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3709486 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:07:38 +0100 3709486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3670203&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fbn261863331p8676%2F Abstract  Prostate cancer is an important disease in terms of economic implications because of its increasing incidence and health care costs. We assessed the direct costs of the clinical management of prostate cancer in France. A retrospective study based on population-based data was carried out. Eight hundred and seventy-nine cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in five departments were included in a 5-year follow-up study. The economic analysis adopted the health-care payer’s perspective and took into account only the direct costs. The mean cost of managing patients was estimated at €12,731. It is composed of 49 to 82% of initial treatments according to the therapeutic strategy. The follow-up constituted between 3 and 11%, the costs of treatments for side effects b... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3670203 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:15:43 +0100 3670203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3651385&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj336xn4228686775%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0259-xAuthors Fernando Antonanzas, University of La Rioja Department of Economics 26004 Logrono SpainRoberto Rodríguez, University of La Rioja Department of Economics 26004 Logrono Spain Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3651385 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:13:16 +0100 3651385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3643746&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fdl542687651271p5%2F This study estimated the total cost of LBP in Switzerland in 2005 from a societal perspective using a bottom-up prevalence-based cost-of-illness approach. The study considers more cost categories than are typically investigated and includes the costs associated with a multitude of LBP sufferers who are not under medical care. The findings are based on a questionnaire completed by a sample of 2,507 German-speaking respondents, of whom 1,253 suffered from LBP in the last 4 weeks; 346 of them were receiving medical treatment for their LBP. Direct costs of LBP were estimated at €2.6 billion and direct medical costs at 6.1% of the total healthcare expenditure in Switzerland. Productivity losses were estimated at €4.1 billion with the human capital approach and &... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3643746 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:51:19 +0100 3643746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3628477&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fep862q6r6u076p41%2F Abstract  Recently, several checklists systematically assessed factors that affect the transferability of cost-effectiveness (CE) studies between jurisdictions. The role of the threshold value for a QALY has been given little consideration in these checklists, even though the importance of a factor as a cause of between country differences in CE depends on this threshold. In this paper, we study the impact of the willingness-to-pay (WTP) per QALY on the importance of transferability factors in the case of smoking cessation support (SCS). We investigated, for several values of the WTP, how differences between six countries affect the incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) of SCS. The investigated factors were demography, smoking prevalence, mortality, epidemiology and costs... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3628477 Sat, 29 May 2010 16:54:16 +0100 3628477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3602399&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fgk8615336l0q6662%2F Abstract  This paper examines the consequences of the introduction of an activity-based reimbursement system on the behavior of physicians and hospital’s managers. We consider a private for-profit sector where both hospitals and physicians are initially paid on a fee-for-service basis. We show that the benefit of the introduction of an activity-based system depends on the type of interaction between managers and physicians (simultaneous or sequential decision-making games). It is shown that, under the activity-based system, a sequential interaction with physician leader could be beneficial for both agents in the private sector. We further model an endogenous timing game à la Hamilton and S.sky (Games Econ Behav 2: 29–46, 1990) in which the type of interaction is determi... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3602399 Mon, 24 May 2010 16:25:48 +0100 3602399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3602400&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F0663263v846452g6%2F Abstract  Given changes in the labour market in past decades, it is of interest to evaluate whether and how contractual and working conditions affect health and psychological well-being in society today. We consider the effects of contractual and working conditions on self-assessed health and psychological well-being using twelve waves (1991/1992–2002/2003) of the British Household Panel Survey. For self-assessed health, the dependent variable is categorical, and we estimate non-linear dynamic panel ordered probit models, while for psychological well-being, we estimate a dynamic linear specification. The results show that both contractual and working conditions have an influence on health and psychological well-being and that the impact is different for men and women. ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3602400 Mon, 24 May 2010 16:25:46 +0100 3602400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3602401&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fr57u5272251147jw%2F Abstract  Rising demand for and costs of health care have led to an increasing role of practice nurses in primary care in many countries, including the United Kingdom. Previous research has explored how practice nurse care differs from that provided by general practitioners (GPs) in terms of costs and health outcomes, and has highlighted the importance of matching skills and experience with roles and responsibilities. However, there has been little research to compare the characteristics of patients seen by GPs and practice nurses in primary care. We aim to investigate the factors associated with the use of practice nurse visits, and to compare these with the factors associated with GP use. We jointly model the use of practice nurse and GP visits using a bivariate probit re... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3602401 Sat, 22 May 2010 16:48:40 +0100 3602401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3602403&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F960u656761247832%2F Abstract  This paper shows that patients with private health insurance (PHI) are being offered significantly shorter waiting times than patients with statutory health insurance (SHI) in German acute hospital care. This behavior may be driven by the higher expected profitability of PHI relative to SHI holders. Further, we find that hospitals offering private insurees shorter waiting times when compared with SHI holders have a significantly better financial performance than those abstaining from or with less discrimination. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0254-2Authors Christoph Schwierz, KCE Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, 55 1000 Brussels BelgiumAchim Wübker, Universität Osnabrück Albrechts... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3602403 Sat, 22 May 2010 16:48:39 +0100 3602403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3602402&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fh950k21134656707%2F This study compares two approaches to the estimation of social welfare intervention costs: one “top-down” and the other “bottom-up” for a group of social welfare clients with severe problem behavior participating in a randomized trial. Intervention costs ranging over a two-year period were compared by intervention category (foster care placement, institutional placement, mentorship services, individual support services and structured support services), estimation method (price, micro costing, average cost) and treatment group (intervention, control). Analyses are based upon 2007 costs for 156 individuals receiving 404 interventions. Overall, both approaches were found to produce reliable estimates of intervention costs at the group level but not at the individual level. As ch... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3602402 Sat, 22 May 2010 16:48:39 +0100 3602402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3572595&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl501818k23p54664%2F Conclusions  Mapping from QLQ-C30 scores to EQ-5D-derived utilities when only QLQ-C30 data are available has been shown to be possible with good accuracy. Validation of the proposed algorithm in other external clinical datasets should be encouraged. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0233-7Authors Ralph Crott, Catholic University of Louvain Academic Hospital St Luc 10 Avenue Hippocrate Brussels 1200 BelgiumAndrew Briggs, University of Glasgow Section of Public Health and Health, Division of Community Based Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Glasgow UK Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3572595 Sun, 16 May 2010 07:02:52 +0100 3572595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3572596&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fu200754275866375%2F Abstract  This paper focuses on current use of elderly care services in Ireland and France. In light of health care resource allocation problems, it is important to know the level of current use of home care on which future projections may be based. With the availability of SHARE (Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe) data, it is now possible to analyse this process and estimate the relationship between formal and informal care, and our econometric model tests for endogeneity of informal care. Previous research has not included Ireland into the analysis. Given that Ireland has a younger population base, lessons could be learned from countries with older populations, such as France. Results suggest informal care is endogenous and negatively linked with formal car... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3572596 Sat, 15 May 2010 08:11:05 +0100 3572596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3572597&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fk458818535526812%2F Conclusions  In subgroups of patients differing in CHF severity according to the DASI, mean EQ-5D and SF-6D indices differed significantly. Contrarily, in socio-demographic and clinical groups, these utility differences were not directly evident. According to the evidence, comparisons based on severity classification via a valid disease-specific external instrument may provide insight on instrument choice in cost-utility analyses. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0252-4Authors Nick Kontodimopoulos, Hellenic Open University Faculty of Social Sciences Bouboulinas 57 26222 Patras GreeceMichalis Argiriou, Hellenic Open University Faculty of Social Sciences Bouboulinas 57 26222 Patras GreeceNikolaos Theakos, Evangelismos Hospital ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3572597 Sat, 15 May 2010 08:11:04 +0100 3572597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3555021&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F291538748413k62p%2F We present data consistent with the view that after taking account of health improvement, health programs are preferred which do not leave people in severe health states. Alternative explanations are considered and particularly the possibility that data reflect a social preference for individuals achieving their health potential. Both explanations imply the need to reconsider the rules for prioritising programs. In this analysis, Person Trade-Off (PTO) scores are used to measure social preferences (‘value’ or ‘social utility’) and Time Trade-Off (TTO) scores are used to measure individual assessments of health improvement and initial severity. Econometric results suggest that severity is highly significant and may more than double the index of social value of a health service... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3555021 Sun, 09 May 2010 09:48:43 +0100 3555021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3544827&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fp147j7j57q868241%2F The objective is to test the presumption that preferences between these two subpopulations differ and to see whether having a chronic condition has a different influence on preferences depending on the country. The evidence comes from two Discrete Choice Experiments performed in 2005 (Germany) and 2006 (the Netherlands, right after a major health reform). Results point to an even more marked resistance against restrictions of physician choice among individuals with chronic conditions in both countries. Thus, the alleged beneficiaries of Disease Management Programs would have to be highly compensated for accepting the restrictions that go with them. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0248-0Authors Janet MacNeil Vroomen, University of Zurich... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3544827 Thu, 06 May 2010 09:02:03 +0100 3544827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3518276&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F1r0hu62k008h33j0%2F Abstract  Financial incentives in primary care have been introduced with the purpose of improving appropriateness of care and containing demand. We usually observe pay-for-performance programs, but alternatives, such as pay-for-participation in improvement activities and pay-for-compliance with clinical guidelines, have also been implemented. Here, we assess the influence of different programs that ensure extra payments to GPs for containing avoidable hospitalisations. Our dataset covers patients and GPs of the Italian region Emilia-Romagna for the year 2005. By separating pay-for-performance from pay-for-participation and pay-for-compliance programs, we estimate the impact of different financial incentives on the probability of avoidable hospitalisations. As dependent vari... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3518276 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:03:37 +0100 3518276 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502625&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe7688232h8261234%2F Conclusions  Based on efficacy data from clinical trials and lower attainment costs in various hypertensive patient populations, irbesartan in combination with HCTZ compares favorably with losartan and valsartan in combination with HCTZ in the Greek setting. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0243-5Authors Nikos Maniadakis, National School of Public Health Department of Health Services Management 196 Alexandras Avenue 115 22 Athens GreeceMattias Ekman, i3 Innovus, Vasagatan 38 111 20 Stockholm SwedenVasilios Fragoulakis, National School of Public Health Department of Health Services Management 196 Alexandras Avenue 115 22 Athens GreeceVasiliki Papagiannopoulou, National Centre for Social Research Department of Health Economics 14... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502625 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:22:56 +0100 3502625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3493363&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F068123636t8tq805%2F The objective of this proposal was to develop guidelines for the economic evaluation of health technologies in Spain. A group of researchers specialized in economic evaluation of health technologies developed the document reported here, following the initiative of other countries in this framework, to provide recommendations for the standardization of methodology applicable to economic evaluation of health technologies in Spain. Recommendations appear under 17 headings or sections. In each case, the recommended requirements to be satisfied by economic evaluation of health technologies are provided. Each recommendation is followed by a commentary providing justification and compares and contrasts the proposals with other available alternatives. The economic evaluation of health techno... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3493363 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:55:09 +0100 3493363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3493364&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fp0518603g5447w22%2F In conclusion, the presence of MetS in patients with hypertension significantly inflates economic burden, and costs are likely to increase in the future due to an aging population and an increase in the prevalence of components of MetS. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0223-9Authors Eberhard Wille, Fakultät für Volkswirtschaftslehre L 7, 3-5, 2. OG, Raum 21 68131 Mannheim GermanyJürgen Scholze, Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin Department of Medicine, Outpatient Clinic, CCM Luisenstrasse 11-13 10117 Berlin GermanyEduardo Alegria, Policlínica Gipuzkoa Servicio de Cardiología San Sebastián SpainClaudio Ferri, University of L’Aquila Division of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Cardiovascular Prevention Center, Department of Interna... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3493364 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:55:07 +0100 3493364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3485830&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fh109250114327813%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0246-2Authors László Gulácsi, Corvinus University of Budapest Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment Research Centre Fovam ter 8 1093 Budapest Hungary Journal The European Journal of Health EconomicsOnline ISSN 1618-7601Print ISSN 1618-7598 (Source: The European Journal of Health Economics) The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3485830 Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:49:35 +0100 3485830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3485829&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fr8723737317u3050%2F Abstract  Our objective was to estimate the cost of inpatient malnutrition conditional upon admitting diagnosis and recorded nutritional treatment. We analysed an anonymised administrative data set for inpatients treated in hospitals in Victoria, Australia 2003–2004. The data set included patient-level cost, clinical markers, demographic and episode variables. The data set was analysed to identify codes, which indicated the presence of malnutrition or its treatment. Linear regression was used to ascertain to what extent malnutrition affected the cost of admission. Controlling for the underlying condition and any treatment administered, recorded malnutrition is estimated to add AU 1,745 per admission. The total cost of coded malnutrition to the Victorian public hospital sys... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3485829 Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:49:35 +0100 3485829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3485831&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq026488133011l43%2F This study aimed to estimate the health burden and the direct as well as indirect costs of morbidity and mortality attributable to obesity and overweight in Germany for the year 2002. We used the concept of attributable fractions based on German prevalence data and relative risks from US studies as well as routine statistics. We estimated obesity- and overweight-attributable deaths, years of potential life lost (YPLL) and quality-adjusted life years lost (QALY) for various diseases associated with obesity and overweight. Direct costs were estimated for inpatient and outpatient treatment, rehabilitation and non-medical costs. Indirect costs were estimated for sickness absence, early retirement and mortality using the human capital approach. We estimated 36,653 obesity- and overweight-... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3485831 Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:49:34 +0100 3485831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3482310&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F03486607x2218867%2F Conclusions  Interventions in GHD can now be evaluated more validly in Belgium and the Netherlands. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0241-7Authors J. J. V. Busschbach, Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus MC P.O. Box 2040 3000 CA Rotterdam The NetherlandsB. H. R. Wolffenbuttel, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen Department of Endocrinology HPC AA31 P.O. Box 30001 9700 RB Groningen The NetherlandsL. Annemans, Ghent University Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences De Pintelaan 185 Bl.A-1 9000 Ghent BelgiumW. J. Meerding, Pfizer BV Rivium Westlaan 142 2909 LD Capelle a/d IJssel The NetherlandsM. Kołtowska-Häggström, KIMS Medical Outcomes, Pfizer Endocrine Care Veten... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3482310 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:51:37 +0100 3482310 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3470924&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fu24100374620l6l3%2F Abstract  This paper simulates the impact across household types of fully funded tax reforms designed to increase consumers’ fiber intake from grain consumption. Our results suggest that household types with the highest initial consumption share of fiber-rich products—i.e., households without children (seniors, couples without children, and single women without children)—experience the highest increase in fiber intake from these reforms. However, they also experience high increases in unhealthy nutrients from the reforms, making the net health effects difficult to evaluate. Seniors and couples without children also gain most financially, paying less food taxes and facing, depending on the reform, either a lower price level than before the reform or a lower increase in... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3470924 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 07:47:34 +0100 3470924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3452592&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F4x5q7520026r0454%2F Abstract  This paper highlights the relevance of age-specific hazard rates in explaining the age variation in “value of statistical life” (VSL) figures. The analysis—which refers to a stated preference framework—contributes to the ongoing discussion of whether benefits resulting from reduced mortality risk should be valued differently depending on the age of the beneficiaries. By focussing on a life-threatening environmental phenomenon I show that the consideration of the individual’s age-specific hazard rate is important. If a particular risk affects all individuals regardless of their age so that their hazard rate is age-independent, VSL is rather constant for people at different age; if hazard rate varies with age, VSL estimates are sensitive to age. The result... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3452592 Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:19:52 +0100 3452592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3447700&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ft557565714126u5j%2F The objectives of this study were to estimate the resource use and cost of treating acute cough/lower respiratory tract infection (acute cough/LRTI) in 13 European countries, to explore reasons for differences in cost and to document the challenges that researchers face when collecting information on cost alongside multinational studies. Data on resource use and cost were collected alongside an observational study in 14 primary care networks across 13 European countries and a mean cost was generated for each network. The results show that the mean cost (standard deviation) of treating acute cough/LRTI in Europe ranged from €23.88 (34.67) in Balatonfüred (Hungary) to €116.47 (34.29) in Jonkoping (Sweden). The observed differences in costs were statistically significant (P... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3447700 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 07:14:57 +0100 3447700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3447701&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ftn6472m472l745l3%2F The objective of this paper was to address the importance of dealing systematically and comprehensively with uncertainty in a budget impact analysis (BIA) in more detail. The handling of uncertainty in health economics was used as a point of reference for addressing the uncertainty in a BIA. This overview shows that standard methods of sensitivity analysis, which are used for standard data set in a health economic model (clinical probabilities, treatment patterns, resource utilisation and prices/tariffs), cannot always be used for the input data for the BIA model beyond the health economic data set for various reasons. Whereas in a health economic model, only limited data may come from a Delphi panel, a BIA model often relies on a majority of data taken from a Delphi panel. In additi... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3447701 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 07:14:56 +0100 3447701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3419591&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fr245506156l33834%2F Abstract  Despite the growing popularity of the vignette methodology to deal with self-reported, categorical data, the formal evaluation of the validity of this methodology is still a topic of research. Some critical assumptions need to hold in order for this method to be valid. In this paper we analyse the assumption of “vignette equivalence” using data on health system responsiveness contained within the World Health Survey. We perform several tests to check the assumption of vignette equivalence. First, we use a test based on the global ordering of the vignettes. A minimal condition for the assumption of vignette equivalence to hold is that individual responses are consistent with the global ordering of vignettes. Secondly, using the hierarchical ordered probit model... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3419591 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 05:51:59 +0100 3419591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3412333&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fk50t12661g552177%2F Abstract  Extending the Grossman (J Polit Econ 80:223–255, 1972) model of health capital into a stochastic one, we analyze how the presence of Knightian uncertainty about the efficacy of health care affects the optimal health investment behavior of individuals. Using Gilboa and Schmeidler’s (J Math Econ 18:141–153, 1989) model of maxmin expected utility (MMEU) with multiple priors, we show that an agent retains the initial level of health capital if the price of health care lies within a certain range. We also show that the no-investment range expands as the degree of Knightian uncertainty rises. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s10198-010-0238-2Authors Takao Asano, Okayama University Faculty of Economics 3-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku ... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3412333 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:19:56 +0100 3412333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3393731&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F5863x456175261px%2F Abstract  A number of health economics studies require patient cost estimates as basic information input. However, the accuracy of cost estimates remains generally unspecified. We propose to investigate how the allocation of indirect costs or overheads can affect the estimation of patient costs and lead to improvements in the analysis of patient cost estimates. Instead of focussing on the costing method, this paper will highlight observed changes in variation explained by a methodology choice. We compare four overhead allocation methods for a specific Spanish population adjusted using the Clinical Risk Groups model. Our main conclusion is that the amount of global variation explained by the risk adjustment model depends mainly on direct costs, regardless of the cost allocat... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3393731 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:05:41 +0100 3393731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3393730&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fd576351526554t64%2F Abstract  The accuracy required in the measurement of output is an issue that has as yet still not been satisfactorily addressed in empirical research on efficiency in primary health care. We exploit information retrieved from a newly constructed database (APEX06) for the Spanish region of Extremadura. The richness of our dataset allows us to consider original synthetic measures of output that take into account both the quantity and the quality of services provided by 85 primary care centers (PCCs) in 2006. We provide evidence that neglecting the issue of properly accounting for the quality of health services can lead to misleading results. Our main finding is that adjusting output for quality has a three-fold effect on efficiency analysis. Firstly, inefficiency explains re... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3393730 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:05:41 +0100 3393730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3393732&cid=s_33421_51_f&fid=33421&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc824712n7301q643%2F This study examines the effect of state excise taxes on different types of alcoholic beverages (spirits, wine, and beer) on alcohol-attributable injury mortalities—deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents, suicides, homicides, and falls—in the United States between 1995 and 2004, using state-level panel data. There is evidence that injury deaths attributable to alcohol respond differently to changes in state excise taxes on alcohol-specific beverages. This study examines the direct relationship between injury deaths and excise taxes without testing the degree of the association between excise taxes and alcohol consumption. The study finds that beer taxes are negatively related to motor vehicle accident mortality, while wine taxes are negatively associated with suicides and falls.... The European Journal of Health Economics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3393732 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:05:40 +0100 3393732