Search results

Describes a process of adopting a set of review criteria for use in a regional project to improve heart failure management in general practice. Published guideline review criteria were assessed using a protocol examining indicator relevance, practicality and the clinical evidence on which indicators were based. An expert panel with experience in general practice, cardiology and general internal medicine, ethics, and research methodology was used to evaluate the indicators. Good overall agreement was observed with the review criteria. Areas of disagreement related to poor wording of the criteria, the need to incorporate more up‐to‐date evidence and criteria based on weak evidence. A need exists for greater training of health practitioners about how regional indicators can be used as screening tools for quality improvement. Nationally endorsed sets of regularly updated review criteria for common and important conditions would be helpful in guiding similar quality improvement projects.

The paper contributes to the discussion on works councils and teamwork in the German auto industry. General Motors’ Opel plant in Germany has been chosen to study works councils’ participation in the process of introducing teamwork, and the effects of teamwork on workers’ representation on the shopfloor. The paper discusses the “dual structure” of works councils and union representatives, and will examine their role during the introduction of teamwork and relationship to their elected team spokespersons. The two key findings are: first, both levels of workers’ representation have contributed to the successful introduction of workplace changes and second, team spokespersons can be seen as a third level of workers’ representation.

The following classified, annotated list of titles is intended to provide reference librarians with a current checklist of new reference books, and is designed to supplement the RSR review column, “Recent Reference Books,” by Frances Neel Cheney. “Reference Books in Print” includes all additional books received prior to the inclusion deadline established for this issue. Appearance in this column does not preclude a later review in RSR. Publishers are urged to send a copy of all new reference books directly to RSR as soon as published, for immediate listing in “Reference Books in Print.” Reference books with imprints older than two years will not be included (with the exception of current reprints or older books newly acquired for distribution by another publisher). The column shall also occasionally include library science or other library related publications of other than a reference character.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the claim that the pursuit of maximum value (wealth) for shareholders optimises economic and social benefits for society as a whole.

Evidence cited in support of the claim and the methodology employed by its supporters are examined. Counter‐evidence from a wide range of disciplines, including accounting, economics, finance, and medical sociology, is considered.

The evidence does not support the claim. Bias and severe methodological flaws in its supporters' research is revealed. Considerable evidence of adverse consequences is identified.

This paper draws from an unusually wide range of disciplines to expose the fallacy and a number of powerful myths about the economic and social benefits of making maximizing shareholder value the primary aim of corporate governance.

Support groups are a common feature of the mental health support engaged by carers and consumers. The purpose of this paper is to update and consolidate the knowledge and the evidence for the effectiveness of mental health support groups.

This paper is based on a systematic literature review of relevant databases around support groups for mental health. Support groups are defined as meetings of people with similar experiences, such as those defined as carers of a person living with a mental illness or a person living with a mental illness. These meetings aim to provide support and companionship to one another.

The results show that there is a consistent pattern of evidence, over a long period of time, which confirms the effectiveness of mental health support groups for carers and people living with mental illness. There is strong, scientifically rigorous evidence which shows the effectiveness of professionally facilitated, family-led support groups, psychoeducation carers support groups, and professionally facilitated, program-based support groups for people living with mental illness.

This research implies the use of support groups is an important adjunct to the support of carers and people with mental illness, including severe mental illness.

This research brings together a range of studies indicating the usefulness of support groups as an adjunct to mental health therapy.

PATENTLY CLEAR According to information published on the Web site of the European Patent Office (http://www.european‐patent‐office.org/pi_ndex.htm), $20 000 million a year is wasted in Europe as a result of duplicated research. This is a substantial sum and clearly any company would be keen to avoid such wastage.

This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.

Argues that the debate concerning the growth of public employment has remained largely uninformed in a conceptual sense beyond the economic variables. Suggests that the time is now pertinent to identify the additional parameters affecting the situation if an enriched understanding is to evolve on the future role and management of the public sector in the developing state. Reviews the literature contributions that are significant in this respect, not only with the aim of putting the public sector developments of the last ten years in perspective but also to contribute to the current debate on the emergence of new administrative paradigms for developing States that provide a more balanced view of political, economic and social development.

This paper focuses on a comparison between Internet and traditionally presented and transacted office properties for sale in Boston/US and London/UK. This comparison provides a better understanding of the effect of the Internet on the real estate office market based on a data‐driven, rather than an opinion‐based, study. The study of both cities for a 6 month period, from September 2000 to February 2001, indicated that small properties are more likely to be sold through the Internet than in the traditional office market. Moreover, in both cities, there are differences in the distributions of price per square foot and area in square feet between Internet and traditionally transacted office properties.

A survey of the current state of documentation practice in museums is presented. This concentrates on the broad themes of the practice, making comparisons with analogous library procedures, where appropriate. A brief introduction to museums and their organizational framework within the United Kingdom is given. With this as background, the methods of documentation used by museums are reviewed, and a survey presented of current developments on an international and national scale.