How to measure patent thickets – a novel approach

The existing literature identifies patent thickets indirectly. In this paper we propose a novel measure based on patent citations which allows us to measure the density of patent thickets directly. We discuss the algorithm which generates the measure and present descriptive results validating it. Moreover, we identify technology areas which are particularly impacted by patent thickets

A study of patent thickets

Report analysing whether entry of UK enterprises into patenting in a technology area is affected by patent thickets in the technology area

A cross-sectional survey of mental health clinicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice relating to tobacco dependence among young people with mental disorders

BACKGROUND: Mental health services in England are smoke-free by law and expected to provide comprehensive support to patients who smoke. Although clinicians’ knowledge in this area is reported to be limited, research exploring the issue in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of clinicians working within specialist and highly specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) relating to tobacco dependence, its treatment and its relation to mental disorder. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of clinicians working across all CAMHS teams of a large UK National Health Service mental health Trust. RESULTS: Sixty clinicians (50% response rate) completed the survey. Less than half (48.3%) believed that addressing smoking was part of their responsibility, and half (50%) asserted confidence in supporting patients in a cessation attempt. Misconceptions relating to smoking were present across all staff groups: e.g. only 40% of respondents were aware of potential interactions between smoking and antipsychotic medications, although psychiatrists were more knowledgeable than non-medical clinicians (91.6% vs 27.1%; OR 3.4, p < .001). Self-reported attendance at smoking-related training was significantly associated with more proactive clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to improve clinicians’ knowledge, capacity and confidence in effectively identifying, motivating, supporting and treating young smokers in the context of treatment for mental disorders. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-014-0618-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Development and refinement of the open dialog adherence protocol in complex mental health care

Introduction: Open dialog (OD) is a both a therapeutic practice and a service delivery model that offers an integrated response to mental health care through mobilizing resources within the service user’s family and community networks through joint network meetings. Therapist adherence is a crucial to the effective delivery of interventions. A key way to measure this is through structured observation tools. Aims: The aim of this research project is to develop and refine the Dialogic Practice Adherence Scale, for use in OD research trials in the United Kingdom. Methods: This study was a mixed methods approach to the development of an OD practitioner adherence measure. Initial steps involved meetings and discussions with experts and a review of the literature. Content validation studies were completed using a modified Delphi technique. To assess reliability of the measure, OD network meetings were audio-recorded, and tapes were rated by two independent researchers. Inter-rater reliability and internal consistency were assessed through quantitative approaches assessing variance. Results: Results provide a description of how the OD Adherence Manual was developed in collaboration. Validation surveys showed high levels on consensus among experts in the field on the key elements of OD network meetings. Inter-rater reliability for the total score was excellent and internal consistency analyses suggest the scale is highly reliable. Discussion: The scale presented here is an initial attempt at rating practitioner adherence in OD network meetings. It provides encouraging evidence that this can be done with strong validity and reliability and can be completed by a range of raters with varying levels of clinical experience

Guidelines of the Brazilian Association of Studies on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ABEAD) for diagnoses and treatment of psychiatric comorbidity with alcohol and other drugs dependence

Recently, several studies have focused on comorbity psychiatric disorders with alcohol and other substance dependence. The Brazilian Association of Studies on Alcohol and Other Drugs proposed the Brazilian Guidelines project. This study review diagnostic and therapeutic criteria to the most prevalent psychiatric comorbidities. Randomized clinical trials, epidemiological, animal studies and other forms of research are reviewed. The main psychiatric comorbidities are studied based on guidelines adopted by other countries and the literature data resumed. Epidemiological aspects, diagnoses, integrated treatment and service organization, as well as specific psychotherapic and pharmacological treatment are discussed. The Brazilian Association of Studies on Alcohol and Other Drugs Guidelines reassures the importance of adequate diagnoses and treatment regarding alcoholic and drug dependent patients suffering of comorbid psychiatric disorders.O diagnóstico e tratamento de comorbidade psiquiátrica e dependência de álcool e outras substâncias tem sido objeto de inúmeros estudos nos últimos anos. A Associação Brasileira de Estudos do Álcool e Outras Drogas desenvolveu o projeto Diretrizes. Este trabalho visa o desenvolvimento de critérios diagnósticos e terapêuticos atualizados para as comorbidades psiquiátricas mais prevalentes. Ensaios clínicos randomizados, estudos epidemiológicos, com animais e outros estudos são revisados. As principais comorbidades psiquiátricas são estudadas e os dados de literatura resumidos, tendo como referência diretrizes adotadas em outros países. São abordados aspectos epidemiológicos, critérios diagnósticos, tratamento integrado e organização de serviço especializado, assim como especificidades do tratamento psicoterápico e farmacológico. As Diretrizes da Associação Brasileira de Estudos do Álcool e Outras Drogas reforçam a importância da abordagem adequada do dependente químico portador de comorbidade psiquiátrica.Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Núcleo de PsiquiatriaInstituto de Psiquiatria de Santa CatarinaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Unidade de Pesquisa em Álcool e DrogasSanta Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo Unidade de Álcool e DrogasUniversidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina Hospital das ClinicasCentro de Atendimento Médico e SocialHospital de Clínicas de Porto AlegreHospital Israelita Albert EinsteinSanta Casa do Rio de Janeiro Setor de Dependência QuímicaUniversidade Gama FilhoUNIFESP, Unidade de Pesquisa em Álcool e DrogasSciEL

Substance Use Disorders in Schizophrenia—Clinical Implications of Comorbidity

Nearly half of the people suffering from schizophrenia also present with a lifetime history of substance use disorders (SUD), a rate that is much higher than the one seen among unaffected individuals. This phenomenon suggests that the factors influencing SUD risk in schizophrenia may be more numerous and/or complex than those modulating SUD risk in the general population. It is critically important to address this comorbidity because SUD in schizophrenic patients is associated with poorer clinical outcomes and contributes significantly to their morbidity and mortality