ISPOR’s 12th annual international meeting
By David Woods (david.woods@rxcomms.com) The theme of this year’s international ISPOR meeting – held on May 20–23 in Arlington, Virginia, USA – was “new tools, new audiences for health outcomes…
DetailsObservational studies: answering real-life questions about healthcare practice
By Ruth Whittington (ruth.whittington@rxcomms.com) Part 2 – How do observational studies and randomised controlled trials differ? Last month, I described observational studies and where they fit into the hierarchy of…
DetailsHOC people: Alan Bakst
By David Woods (dwoods@rxcomms.com) “An opportunity and a challenge”. That’s what Alan Bakst found when he became Director of Health Economics and Outcomes Research at TAP pharmaceuticals in Chicago in…
DetailsWHC and ISMMP congresses
By David Woods (dwoods@rxcomms.com) HOC editor David Woods has just returned from attending two healthcare congresses. Fourth Annual World Health Care Congress (WHC), Washington, DC, 22–24 April A panel on…
DetailsHealth economists’ broader role in lifestyles, demographics, and risk management
Many economists think their profession has something to say about almost everything. This is because nearly everything can be thought of in terms of incentives and constraints.
DetailsObservational studies: answering real-life questions about healthcare practice
By Ruth Whittington (ruth.whittington@rxcomms.com) This is the first in a series of four articles about observational studies. It’s our impression that observational studies (also known as “naturalistic studies”) are becoming…
DetailsIndustry commentary – Predictors of productivity
By Clare Gurton (cgurton@rxcomms.com) There is increasing pressure to describe the benefits of new treatments in terms of increased productivity in the work-place, and many clinical studies are now attempting…
DetailsIn praise of eloquence
When the body of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is brought before the Romans, does the bard have them say “Whodunnit?” No, he has Mark Antony deliver the eloquent “Friends, Romans, Countrymen” speech. And the Roman poet Horace showed his lyrical skill with: “Pick today’s fruits, not relying on the future in the slightest.” Carpe diem. He did not, you will note, say “Have a nice day.”
DetailsRisk/benefit decisions – who should be involved, and are there valid measurement methods?
By Clare Gurton (cgurton@rxcomms.com) Here we summarise a recent article from ISPOR Connections 2006; December 15: 3–5 Patients are generally not included in decision-making yet they are the group to…
DetailsMaking molehills out of mountains – of clinical data
Writing a manuscript can be daunting, even for a seasoned researcher. How does one synthesise a coherent publication out of the mountain of accumulated data?
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