Cultural syndromes: Socially learned but real

While some of mental disorders due to emotional distress occur cross-culturally, others seem to be much more bound to particular cultures. In this paper, I propose that many of these “cultural syndromes” are culturally sanctioned responses to overwhelming negative emotions. I show how tools from cultural evolution theory can be employed for understanding how the syndromes are relatively confined to and retained within particular cultures. Finally, I argue that such an account allows for some cultural syndromes to be or become mental disorders and also steers clear of some of the anti-realist trappings associated with a social constructivism of cultural syndromes

Scientific realism with historical essences: the case of species

AbstractNatural kinds, real kinds, or, following J.S. Mill simply, Kinds, are thought to be an important asset for scientific realists in the non-fundamental (or “special”) sciences. Essential natures are less in vogue. I show that the realist would do well to couple her Kinds with essential natures in order to strengthen their epistemic and ontological credentials. I argue that these essential natures need not however be intrinsic to the Kind’s members; they may be historical. I concentrate on assessing the merits of historical essential natures in a paradigm case of Kinds in the non-fundamental sciences: species. I specify two basic jobs for essential natures: (1) offering individuation criteria, and (2) providing a causal explanation of the Kind’s multiple projectable properties. I argue that at least in the case of species historical essences are fit for both tasks. The principled resistance to Kinds with historical essences should also be cleared.</jats:p

Diretrizes Metodológicas : Avaliação de Desempenho de Tecnologias em Saúde

In recent years, significant advances have been registered in the health area with the discovery of new technologies. These advances have been accompanied by a rise in treatment costs and have put health spending among the largest expenditures of public and family systems around the world. Despite the undeniable scientific advances, many health technologies launched in the international market do not have the expected benefits and, in some situations, still introduce iatrogenies. In order to respond to the need to measure, evaluate and select the products, equipment, medicines and health procedures that merit use in health systems, scientific methods have been developed to assist the process of incorporating health technologies. A set of standardized analyzes of effectiveness, safety, effectiveness, efficiency and costs has contributed in a relevant way to the processes that incorporate new technologies. However, post-incorporation studies published in the international literature that present disturbing results are not rare in that many of these technologies, when used in real life, do not actually have the benefits reported by manufacturers. For this reason, many challenges still permeate the little explored process of evaluating the performance of the technologies available and the consequent need to establish a process of divestment and reinvestment in health

What should scientists do about (harmful) interactive effects?

The phenomenon of interactive human kinds, namely kinds of people that undergo change in reaction to being studied or theorised about, matters not only for the reliability of scientific claims, but also for its wider, sometimes harmful effects at the group or societal level, such as contributing to negative stigmas or reinforcing existing inequalities. This paper focuses on the latter aspect of interactivity and argues that scientists studying interactive human kinds are responsible for foreseeing harmful effects of their research and for devising ways of mitigating them.Peer reviewe

The Social Motivation Hypothesis for Prosocial Behavior

Existing economic models of prosociality have been rather silent in terms of proximate psychological mechanisms. We nevertheless identify the psychologically most informed accounts and offer a critical discussion of their hypotheses for the proximate psychological explanations. Based on convergent evidence from several fields of research, we argue that there nevertheless is a more plausible alternative proximate account available: the social motivation hypothesis. The hypothesis represents a more basic explanation of the appeal of prosocial behavior, which is in terms of anticipated social rewards. We also argue in favor of our own social motivation hypothesis over Robert Sugden’s fellow-feeling account (due originally to Adam Smith). We suggest that the social motivation not only stands as a proximate account in its own right but also provides a plausible scaffold for other more sophisticated motivations (e.g., fellow-feelings). We conclude by discussing some possible implications of the social motivation hypothesis on existing modeling practice.Peer reviewe

The Social Motivation Hypothesis for Prosocial Behavior

Existing economic models of prosociality have been rather silent in terms of proximate psychological mechanisms. We nevertheless identify the psychologically most informed accounts and offer a critical discussion of their hypotheses for the proximate psychological explanations. Based on convergent evidence from several fields of research, we argue that there nevertheless is a more plausible alternative proximate account available: the social motivation hypothesis. The hypothesis represents a more basic explanation of the appeal of prosocial behavior, which is in terms of anticipated social rewards. We also argue in favor of our own social motivation hypothesis over Robert Sugden’s fellow-feeling account (due originally to Adam Smith). We suggest that the social motivation not only stands as a proximate account in its own right but also provides a plausible scaffold for other more sophisticated motivations (e.g., fellow-feelings). We conclude by discussing some possible implications of the social motivation hypothesis on existing modeling practice.Peer reviewe

The Social Motivation Hypothesis for Prosocial Behavior

Existing economic models of prosociality have been rather silent in terms of proximate psychological mechanisms. We nevertheless identify the psychologically most informed accounts and offer a critical discussion of their hypotheses for the proximate psychological explanations. Based on convergent evidence from several fields of research, we argue that there nevertheless is a more plausible alternative proximate account available: the social motivation hypothesis. The hypothesis represents a more basic explanation of the appeal of prosocial behavior, which is in terms of anticipated social rewards. We also argue in favor of our own social motivation hypothesis over Robert Sugden’s fellow-feeling account (due originally to Adam Smith). We suggest that the social motivation not only stands as a proximate account in its own right but also provides a plausible scaffold for other more sophisticated motivations (e.g., fellow-feelings). We conclude by discussing some possible implications of the social motivation hypothesis on existing modeling practice.Peer reviewe

Review of ongoing initiatives to improve prescribing efficiency in China; angiotensin receptor blockers as a case history

Pharmaceutical expenditure is rising by 16% per annum in China and is now 46% of total expenditure. Initiatives to moderate growth include drug pricing regulations and encouraging international non-proprietary name prescribing. However, there is no monitoring of physician prescribing quality and perverse incentives. Assess changes in angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) utilization and expenditure as more generics become available; compare findings to Europe. Observational retrospective study of ARB utilization and expenditure between 2006 and 2012 in the largest hospital in Chongqing district. Variable and low use of generics versus originators with a maximum of 31% among single ARBs. Similar for fixed dose combinations. Prices typically reduced over time, greatest for generic telmisartan (-54%), mirroring price reductions in some European countries. However, no preferential increase in prescribing of lower cost generics. Accumulated savings of 33 million CNY for this large provider if they adopted European practices. Considerable opportunities to improve prescribing efficiency in China

A countrywide point prevalence study in South Africa – using technology to determine use and appropriateness

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious world-wide health concern and a direct threat to future patient safety, with the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials increasing AMR rates. Consequently, it is imperative to measure current antibiotic utilisation within hospitals to guide future quality initiatives. However, data on antimicrobial utilization among public hospitals and primary health care centres (PHCs) in South Africa (SA) is currently lacking and needs to be addressed. Objectives: To describe and quantify how AMs are currently utilised in selected public sector hospitals and PHC centres in SA; to determine how mHealth techniques can be used to monitor AM utilisation in selected public sector hospitals and PHC centres in SA; to assess current programmes among public sector hospitals and PHC centres to improve AM prescribing as part of AMSPs and pharmacy and therapeutics committee (PTC) activities; to develop interventions, including mHealth techniques, to enhance the role and activities of AMSPs and PTCs; to measure prescriber compliance to STGs for ID in public sector hospitals and PHC centres in SA; to develop interventions, including mHealth techniques, to monitor and enhance prescribing compliance to STGs; to determine the utilisation, uptake and timeliness of vaccines (EPI and seasonal influenza) in selected public and private sector facilities across SA, as part of an AMS strategy to reduce AMR; finally, to develop interventions, including mHealth techniques, that can be used to enhance the appropriate use of vaccines in selected public and private sector facilities across SA. Methods: A web-based application tool was developed in South Africa based on previous PPS studies conducted in Botswana and South Africa using paper-based collection tools,and evaluated during July 2017. Key variables measured included antimicrobial utilisation patterns and appropriateness of treatment for sepsis in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and paediatric diarrhea in the CHCs Results: Preliminary results will include data from three provinces with 2455 patient files reviewed with all of their antimicrobial therapy and related results Conclusions: The PPS method offers a standardized tool that can be used to identify targets for quality improvement programmes in hospitals. The development of a web-based application (APP) has allowed the team to collect large datasets throughout Southern Africa