Removing barriers to technology

Health care executives need to take every step possible to overcome barriers to adoption of new technology by physicians. Through just a few relatively simple and inexpensive strategies, they can enable their physicians to use the clinical information system and bring value to their patients, health system and medical staff.     

Turkey's physicians' attitudes toward euthanasia: a brief research report

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are subject to an ongoing debate and discussed with various aspects. Because physicians are in a profession closely related to euthanasia, their attitudes toward this subject are significant. Thus, research intending to explore their opinions is carried out in many countries. In this study, opinions of the physicians regarding euthanasia's definition, contents, legal aspects, and acceptable conditions for its application are addressed. The questionnaire was given to 949 physicians, more than 1% of the total working in Turkey. Of the physicians who participated in the study, 49.9% agreed with the opinion that euthanasia should be legal in certain circumstances. In addition, 19% had come across a euthanasia request and the majority of physicians (55.9%) believed that euthanasia is applied secretly in the country despite the prohibitory legislation. In conclusion, the authors infer from the study itself and believe that euthanasia should be legal in certain circumstances and that the subject, which is not in the agenda of the Turkish population, should continue to be examined.     

The dual process model of coping with bereavement: a decade on

The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement (DPM; Stroebe & Schut, 1999) is described in this article. The rationale is given as to why this model was deemed necessary and how it was designed to overcome limitations of earlier models of adaptive coping with loss. Although building on earlier theoretical formulations, it contrasts with other models along a number of dimensions which are outlined. In addition to describing the basic parameters of the DPM, theoretical and empirical developments that have taken place since the original publication of the model are summarized. Guidelines for future research are given focusing on principles that should be followed to put the model to stringent empirical test.     

Labeling of nanotechnology consumer products can influence risk and benefit perceptions

Currently, there is no mandatory labeling for products containing synthetic nanoparticles. The public as well as other stakeholders have positive views about mandatory labeling. However, little is known how such a label influences the risk and benefit perception of a product. Consumers may infer that a label is a signal that there are risks associated with this technology. Data were collected in a survey experiment (N= 1,382). Participants were randomly assigned to one of six conditions. The control group received a picture of a sunscreen container without a label. One experimental group received a picture of a sunscreen container with a label. The other groups received, in addition to the sunscreen container with a label, some risk or benefit information. Results suggest that labeling of products may reduce consumers' benefit perception and increase risk perception. Labeling nanotechnology consumer products may change the public perception of the products. Respondents may have relied on the affect heuristic for assessing the risks and benefits of the sunscreen.     

基于思维法则学的群决策方法及其应用

针对群决策中如何科学地收集、集成、分析决策者真实看法的问题,基于西方的思维法则学理论,提出了指示优先级的程式化方法。该方法蕴涵了东方管理中的均衡思想,广泛用于爱尔兰政府及企业的各种项目中。作为该方法的原创者和翻译者合作团队,我们在5年多的合作研究中,探索了有关的理论发展及其中文表述。本文介绍指示优先级的程式化方法的适用情景和应用步骤,与其他方法论进行了比较,给出了应用案例。在应用案例中,对陕西省的5个市县财政局进行了访谈和问卷调查,对西安市财政局的调查数据进行了识别、集成和分析,得到了决策方案及优先级次序。应用结果表明:指示优先级的程式化方法适用于中国情境下的多属性/多准则群决策,能够提供决策依据。