Cost Sharing for Health Care: France, Germany, and Switzerland

Provides an overview of the French, German, and Swiss healthcare systems and compares the exemptions and limits on cost-sharing for the chronically and acutely ill. Considers what lessons U.S. policy makers might draw in considering reform options

Researching creatively with pupils in Assessment for Learning (AfL) classrooms on experiences of participation and consultation

This paper reports on an ESRC TLRP project, Consulting Pupils on the Assessment of their Learning (CPAL). The CPAL project provides an additional theoretical perspective to the ‘educational benefits’ perspective of engaging pupil voice in learning and teaching (Rudduck et al., 2003) through its exploration of pupil rights specifically in relation to assessment issues presently on the policy agenda in the Northern Ireland context – notably Assessment for Learning (AfL). An emergent framework for assessing pupil rights, based on Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Lundy, 2007), is being used to explore the ways in which AfL classroom practice creates the conditions for increased pupil participation and consultation. Pupil views on their AfL classroom experiences and participation are explored by means of a variety of pupil-centred, creative research methods that engage and stimulate pupils to observe, communicate and analyse their learning and assessment experiences and give meaning to them. This presentation highlights preliminary data based on a sample of 11-14 years pupils' experiences of participation and consultation in classrooms adopting AfL pedagogical principles, and identifies characteristics that support or inhibit pupil participation in their learning and the expression of their views about such matters

Effect of Health Education on Foot Exercise in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus at Grati Family Clinic, Pasuruan, East Java

Background: Diabetes is a major public health problem that is approaching epidemic proportions globally. Worldwide, the prevalence of chronic, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate. About 18 million people die every year from cardiovascular disease, for which diabetes is a major predisposing factor. Gymnastics can help improve blood circulation and strengthen the small muscles of the foot so as to prevent foot deformities. Gymnastics overcome the limitations of joint movement that is often experienced by clients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). Health education motivates a person to receive health information and do according to the information so that they become more knowledgeable and healthier. This study aimed to analyze the effect of health education on the practice of foot exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects and Method: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted at Grati Family Clinic, Pasuruan, East Java, from January to March 2015. A sample of 60 patients with type 2 DM was randomized into two groups: (1) 30 patients received health education of foot exercise; (2) 30 patients did not receive health education of foot exercise. The dependent variable was foot exercise. The independent variable was education about foot exercise. The data were collected by questionnaire and observation. Percent difference of patients practicing foot exercise in the two groups was tested by Chi-square. Results: After health education, the percentage of type 2 DM patients who practice the foot exercise in the health education group (n=17; 56.7%) was higher than the non health education group (n=4; 13.3%), and it was stasticallly significant (p<0.001). Type 2 DM patients who participated in the health education session were eight times more likely to practice foot exercise than patients who did not participate (OR=8.50; p<0.001). Conclusion: Health education session is effective in increasing the number of type 2 DM patients to practice foot exercise. Keywords: health education, foot exercise, type 2 diabetes mellitu

A Study to Validate a Self-Reported Version of the ONS Drug Dependence Questionnaire

Aim: A prospective study to establish the reliability of a self-completion version of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) questionnaire for assessing drug dependence of substance misuse clients. Method: A total of 47 treatment seeking opioid-dependent clients completed the self-complete version of the ONS questionnaire (ONS-sc) followed by the interviewer-administered ONS questionnaire (ONS-ia) at a single clinic appointment. Scores for four Class A drugs (heroin, methadone, speed and crack/cocaine) from both formats were compared. Results: The observed agreement was 87% or more and Cohen's kappa was 0.7 (p < 0.001) or more for all four Class A drugs. Sensitivity for each Class A drugs was 56% or higher and specificity was 87% or higher. Sensitivity for severe heroin dependency was 98% (CI 89–100%). There was a 100% correlation between the ONS-sc and positive urine analysis for heroin use. However, methadone and crack/cocaine drug use appeared under reported. Conclusion: ONS-sc is a feasible, practical and time-saving alternative to a detailed interview on drug dependence. Further research with a larger sample size and non-opiate-dependent clients are needed, as this could prove a useful tool for monitoring clients in everyday practice, or for survey purposes where interviews are impractical

Farm prices and quality of Missouri cotton

Publication authorized January 20, 1936."In cooperation with United States Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of agricultural economics."Digitized 2007 AES.Includes bibliographical references