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Government Bodies (government + body)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%
Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting	50%

Selected Abstracts

The impact of using different costing methods on the results of an economic evaluation of cardiac care: microcosting vs gross-costing approaches

HEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 4 2009
Fiona M. Clement (Nee Shrive)
Abstract Background: Published guidelines on the conduct of economic evaluations provide little guidance regarding the use and potential bias of the different costing methods. Objectives: Using microcosting and two gross-costing methods, we (1) compared the cost estimates within and across subjects, and (2) determined the impact on the results of an economic evaluation. Methods: Microcosting estimates were obtained from the local health region and gross-costing estimates were obtained from two government bodies (one provincial and one national). Total inpatient costs were described for each method. Using an economic evaluation of sirolimus-eluting stents, we compared the incremental cost,utility ratios that resulted from applying each method. Results: Microcosting, Case-Mix-Grouper (CMG) gross-costing, and Refined-Diagnosis-Related grouper (rDRG) gross-costing resulted in 4-year mean cost estimates of $16,684, $16,232, and $10,474, respectively. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the cost per QALY gained was $41,764 (95% CI: $41,182,$42,346), $42,538 (95% CI: $42,167,$42,907), and $36,566 (95% CI: $36,172,$36,960) for microcosting, rDRG-derived and CMG-derived estimates, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusions: Within subject, the three costing methods produced markedly different cost estimates. The difference in cost,utility values produced by each method is modest but of a magnitude that could influence a decision to fund a new intervention. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The union recognition dispute at McDonald's Moscow food-processing factory

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 4 2005
Tony Royle
ABSTRACT This article reports on the union recognition dispute that took place at the McDonald's food-processing plant in Moscow. It examines this dispute in the context of McDonald's employment practices worldwide, the interventions made by international and local unions, and Russian government bodies. Despite these interventions it became impossible to either organise the workforce or establish a collective agreement. The case illustrates the difficulties facing both local unions and global union federations when confronted by intransigent multinational companies, especially in low-skilled sectors in transitional economies. [source]

Reassessing employer expectations of graduates in UK travel services

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, Issue 5 2008
Bridget Major
Abstract This article sets out to ascertain travel and tourism industries employers' views on degrees. Research of this kind and on this scale has not previously been carried out and a large scale survey of industry views was conducted with key issues identified and discussed. These cover topics such as the employment of graduates within the UK travel services industry, views on their contribution and appropriateness, the types of skills that such degrees provide, salary scales and graduate training schemes. Current government policy on widening participation in higher education (HE) and its impact on industry skills is also evaluated. The issue of the provision of tourism curricula and their content has at the beginning of 2007 once again been pushed centre stage. This is as a result of the increasing scrutiny of the Sector Skills organisation People 1st and the launch of the government's new vocational diplomas in 2008. The findings in this article are pertinent for government bodies and educators alike and have previously been shared with the Sector Skills organisation and Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in addressing HE in tourism. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The challenge of external validity in policy-relevant systematic reviews: a case study from the field of substance misuse

ADDICTION, Issue 1 2010
Mark Pearson
ABSTRACT Aim To critically evaluate the methods utilized in the conduct of a systematic review in the field of substance misuse Design Participant-observation in the review process, semi-structured interviews with review team members and management and structured observation of the process of guidance development. Setting An ,arm's-length' government body. Participants Review team members, management and the committee responsible for producing evidence-based guidance for policy and practice. Measurements Data from interviews and (participant-)observation were reflected upon critically in order to increase understanding of the systematic review process. Findings The application of systematic review methods produced an evidence base that did not inform the development of guidance to the extent that it could have done: (i) an emphasis upon internal research validity produced an evidence base with an emphasis on short-term interventions at the level of the individual; (ii) criteria for appraising the external validity of studies were not developed sufficiently; and (iii) the systematic review of evidence and development of guidance are strongly reliant upon the judgement of reviewers and committee members. Conclusions Prioritizing internal validity in a systematic review risks producing an evidence base that is not informed adequately by the wider determinants of health and which does not give sufficient consideration to external validity. The use of appropriate methods requires that commissioners of systematic reviews are clear at the outset how the review is proposed to be utilized. Review methods such as meta-ethnography and realist synthesis could contribute to making the frameworks within which judgements are made more explicit. [source]