Patient-centred policies should consider the heterogeneity of patients’ expectations to identify individualized treatments that would aid in optimizing patient satisfaction and wellbeing, as well as overall treatment effectiveness. </AbstractSection> Copyright Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014

Although cost-containment policies in Europe are focusing increasingly on medical devices, the impact of these policies has yet to be fully investigated, particularly in cross-country settings. This paper analyses coverage, procurement, and reimbursement of three inpatient medical devices...

The present study aims to evaluate the impact of cost-effectiveness information on clinical decision making using discrete choice experiment (DCE) methodology. Data were collected through a self-completed questionnaire administered to Italian cardiologists in June 2007 (n = 129 respondents, 1143...

Objectives: To assess clinical, demographic and organizational factors influencing length of stay in acute hospitalization for patients with stroke in Italy. Methods: Data were collected in a prospective, incidence-based, observational multi-centre study. Patients were enrolled in a consecutive...

The number of cataract extractions has increased substantially over time. At present, cataract surgery is estimated to be the most common single procedure performed in the developed world. The present study compares the costs of a cataract intervention across nine European countries. To enhance...

Understanding the interplay between informal care and formal healthcare is important because it sheds light on the financial implications of such interactions and may result in different policies. On the basis of a major database on 532 Italian stroke patients enrolled in the period 2007–2008,...