Approaching an investigation of multi-dimensional inequality through the lenses of variety in models of capitalism

After a synthetic presentation of the state of poverty and inequality in the world and the contradictions incurred by economic theory in this field after decades of globalization and in the midst of a persisting global crisis, in paragraphs 2. and 3. we outline the rational for our theoretical analysis, underlining two main aspects. First of all, in paragraph 2. we recall the reasons which makes inequality a multidimensional phenomenon, while in paragraph 3. we explore the reasons why the models of capitalism theory is relevant for studying multidimensional inequality. These paragraphs emphasise that inequality is a multidimensional and cumulative phenomenon and it should not be conceived only as the result of the processes of personal and functional distribution of income and wealth, which even by themselves are intrinsically multidimensional. The basic idea is that institutions, the cobweb of relations among them and their interaction with the economic structure define the model of capitalism which characterises a specific country and this, in turn, affects the level and the dynamics of inequality. This approach is consistent with the sociological approach by Rehbein and Souza (2014), based on the analytical framework developed by Pierre Bourdieu. In paragraph 4. we outline the rational for our empirical analysis, applying the notion of institutional complementarity and examining the relationship between institutional complementarity, models of capitalism and inequality. Besides, refining Amable’s analysis (2003), we provide empirical evidence on the relationship between inequality in income distribution and models of capitalism. Additionally, basing on cluster analysis, we identify six different models of capitalism in a sample of OECD countries, provide preliminary evidence on the different level of inequality which characterises each model and suggest that no evidence supports of the idea that a single model of capitalism is taking shape in this sphere in EU. In paragraph 5. we give some hints about issues in search for a new interpretation capable to fasten together the process of increasing inequality, the notion of symbolic violence and the models of capitalism theory. In the last paragraph we focus on conclusions useful for carrying on our research agenda

Efficacy of Levetiracetam in treatment of continous spike wave during sleep (CSWS),Efficacia del Levetiracetam nel trattamento dello stato di punta onda continua del sonno (POCS)

In order to evaluate the efficacy of LEV in pharmacoresistant continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS) we tested its efficacy and safety in 16 children with CSWS affected by partial epilpesy of different nature (7 symptomatic, 6 cryptogenic, 3 idiopathic) at the dose of 25-50 mg/Kg/die for a period of 2 months to 3 years. Following the good results (disappearance of EEG abnormalities both at wake and during sleep in 4 cases (25%), their reduction to more that 50% in 5 (31.5%) and the low rate of adverse events (3 drop out cases) the AA stress the possible effectiveness of LEV in children with CSWS

Efficacy of Levetiracetam in treatment of continous spike wave during sleep (CSWS)

In order to evaluate the efficacy of LEV in pharmacoresistant continous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS) we tested its efficacy and safety in 16 children with CSWS affected by partial epilepsy of different nature (7 symptomatic, 6 cryptogenic, 3 idiopathic) at the dose of 25-50 mg/Kg/die for a period of 2 months to 3 years. Following the good results (disappearance of EEG abnormalities both at wake and during sleep in 4 cases (25%), their reduction to more than 50% in 5 (31.5%)) and the low rate of adverse events (3 drop out cases) the AA stress the possible effectiveness of LEV in children with CSWS

Development and daily use of an electronic oncological patient record for the total management of cancer patients: 7 years’ experience

Background: We describe our experience with an electronic oncological patient record (EOPR) for the total management of cancer patients. Methods: The web-based EOPR was developed on the basis of a user-centred design including user education and training, followed by continuous assistance; user acceptance was monitored by means of three questionnaires administered after 2 weeks, 6 months and 6 years. Results: The EOPR has been used daily for all in-ward, day hospital and ambulatory clinical activities since July 2000. The most widely appreciated functions are its rapid multipoint access, the self-updated summary of the patients’ clinical course, the management of the entire therapeutic programme synchronised with working agendas and oncological teleconsultation. Security and privacy are assured by means of the separate storage of clinical and demographic data, with access protected by login and a password. The questionnaires highlighted appreciation of rapid data retrieval and exchange and the perception of improved quality of care, but also revealed a sense of additional work and a negative impact on doctor–patient relationships. Conclusions: Our EOPR has proved to be effective in the total management of cancer patients. Its user-centred design and flexible web technology have been key factors in its successful implementation and daily use

Analysis of the user-satisfaction with the use of a tele-consultation system in oncology

A three years project, funded by the Public Health Ministry of the Italian government and named “Teleconsultation in Oncology”, was concluded in the Province of Trento (North-east Italy) in November 2000. The aim of the project was to implement a Distributed Oncological Teleconsultation System (e-DOTS), based on a clinical digital record and on an application for sharing at distance digital records in asynchronous/synchronous mode, to provide non-surgical oncological consultation to district general hospitals lacking specialist oncological services on site [1]. This study describes the results of surveys conducted on users’ satisfaction (38 clinical physicians and 47 nurses from Divisions of Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Dermatology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Geriatrics, Internal Medicine and Surgery): in particular, a formal evaluation has been carried out to compare perceived advantages and disadvantages with respect to actual usage, beliefs and attitudes towards the system - clinical digital record (CCODM) and tele-consultation (TC) - and expected benefits versus perceived one

Analysis of user-satisfaction with the use of a teleconsultation system in oncology Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14639230310000600470

There is an increasing interest in assessing telemedicine as alternative method of delivering high quality cancer treatment to patients living in rural areas. In the Province of Trento (north-east Italy) a tele-oncology system was implemented to provide non-surgical oncological consultation to district general hospitals. The aim of this study was to explore user-satisfaction with the system after 6 months of experimentation. During the on-field validation two questionnaires with open and closed-response questions were distributed to 80 physicians and nurses 6 months apart to investigate the users' expected benefits vs. perceived ones. The two questionnaires were compared to assess how perceived benefits differed from expected ones. Significant differences were found regarding improvements in: the standardization of diagnostic-therapeutic procedures using the Electronic Patient Record (EPR)]; information sharing; data updating; consultation speed; and the possibility to diminish patients' travels through the use of teleconsultation (TC). Physicians' responses showed a significant difference regarding the EPR's effects on relationship with patient, the nurses' responses with regards to its effects on care quality. Physicians felt that both modalities of teleconsultation were useful in enhancing communication with colleagues (86% for the synchronous TC, 80% for the asynchronous TC). Responses indicated that the major difficulties encountered were in the introduction of the system into the daily routine. Despite this, user expectations for its future use in clinical field were considerably high

Evaluation of a tele-oncology service for rural hospitals

A web-based telemedicine system was established in the province of Trento (italy) to provide rural hospitals with a telemedicine consultation service to support treatment plans and follow-up session for cancer patients. The system is based on a multimedia digital oncology patient record available throughout the network via a dedicated Web browser. Embedded applications are integrated to duscuss the cases and to share clinical information in `virtual oncology meetings`. To evaluate the impact of the telemedicine system a questionnaire was distributed to all health professionals involved in the project (26 clinicians, 31 nurses). The questionnaire, based on open and closed response questions, investigates the use of the system users` attitudes towards the digital clinical record and teleconsultation, personal benefits perceived from the system, major problems encountered during the experimentation, system future use expectation, etc. The quantitative and qualitative results reveal benefits in communication and informagion sharing and point out mainly organizational limits rather than usage or technical performance

Analysis of the user-satisfaction with the use of a tel-consultation system in oncology

A three years project, funded by the Public Health Ministry of the Italian government and named “Teleconsultation in Oncology”, was concluded in the Province of Trento (North-east Italy) in November 2000. The aim of the project was to implement a Distributed Oncological Teleconsultation System (e-DOTS), based on a clinical digital record and on an application for sharing at distance digital records in asynchronous/synchronous mode, to provide non-surgical oncological consultation to district general hospitals lacking specialist oncological services on site [1]. This study describes the results of surveys conducted on users’ satisfaction (38 clinical physicians and 47 nurses from Divisions of Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Dermatology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Geriatrics, Internal Medicine and Surgery): in particular, a formal evaluation has been carried out to compare perceived advantages and disadvantages with respect to actual usage, beliefs and attitudes towards the system - clinical digital record (CCODM) and tele-consultation (TC) - and expected benefits versus perceived one