Use of complementary and alternative medicine within Norwegian hospitals

Background: Over the recent decades complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use within and outside of the public health care system in Norway has increased. The aim of this study is to describe to what extent CAM is offered in Norwegian hospitals in 2013 and investigate possible changes since 2008. Methods: In January 2013 a one-page questionnaire was sent to the medical director of all included hospitals (n = 80). He/she was asked to report whether or not one or more specific CAM therapies were offered in the hospital. Fifty-nine (73.8 %) hospitals responded and form the basis for the analyses. Results: CAM was offered in 64.4 % of the responding hospitals. No major differences were found between public and private, or between somatic and psychiatric, hospitals. Acupuncture was the most frequent CAM method offered, followed by art- and expression therapy and massage. The proportion of hospitals offering CAM has increased from 50.5 % in 2008 to 64.4 % in 2013 (p = 0.089). The largest increase was found in psychiatric hospitals where 76.5 % of hospitals offered CAM in 2013 compared to 28.6 % in 2008 (p = 0.003). A small decrease was found in the proportion of hospitals offering acupuncture between 2008 (41.4 %) and 2013 (37.3 %). Conclusions: A majority of Norwegian hospitals offer some sort of CAM. The largest increase since 2008 was found in psychiatric hospitals. Psychiatric hospitals seem to have established a practice of offering CAM to their patients similar to the practice in somatic hospitals. This could indicate a shift in the attitude with regard to CAM in psychiatric hospitals

Hotspot crowding and over-tourism: Antecedents of destination attractiveness

This study develops a unique model capturing antecedents of place attractiveness in tourism hotspot crowding contexts. A structural equation model reveals three density dimensions: one destination image variable and two avoidance versus approach reactions that influence assessments of crowding attitude and destination appraisals. Perceived density dimensions affect destination appraisals with varying intensities and valences. Both positive and negative sentiments are present – the former as excitement, fun and conviviality resulting from peoplewatching and socialising, and the latter as discomfort and resentment resulting from personal space violations and reduced feelings of uniqueness. Many tourist types are included in this study in historic town centres and villages in iconic fjord landscapes in Norway. Cruise passengers are more crowding tolerant than self-organised travellers.publishedVersio

Demand side management - electricity savings in Danish households reduce load variation, capacity requirements and associated emission

Energy savings are seen as contributing substantially to reducing the fossil fuel dependence in Denmark and improving energy efficiency. Electricity savings in households is contributing to this through the marginal effect of generating the electricity. As the fossil fuel content of generation varies across the hours also the fossil fuel reduction varies based on the hourly profile of the electricity saved. Using the hourly profile of savings, the different effect on emissions and power capacity requirements from varying electricity savings in households is compared. The value of the savings hereby depends on the profile of the reduced electricity demand. We establish the link between the aggregated hourly household load profile in Denmark and specific categories of household appliances. The objective is to evaluate the fossil fuel effect and value of increasing the average efficiency of different types of appliances. More efficient appliances are assumed to reduce the load curve for each appliance category proportionally. Policy implications relate to the finding that different types of electricity savings have very different emissions and capacity value effects. Potentially it may be relevant to support electricity savings (investment in efficient appliances) differently depending on the hourly profile of the savings. We want to clarify if some end-uses provide better social return on the investment in the efficient appliance model/version than others? The result suggests that savings in efficient lighting have much higher value than a corresponding annual saving in cold appliances

Demand side management - electricity savings in Danish households reduce load variation, capacity requirements and associated emission

Energy savings are seen as contributing substantially to reducing the fossil fuel dependence in Denmark and improving energy efficiency. Electricity savings in households is contributing to this through the marginal effect of generating the electricity. As the fossil fuel content of generation varies across the hours also the fossil fuel reduction varies based on the hourly profile of the electricity saved. Using the hourly profile of savings, the different effect on emissions and power capacity requirements from varying electricity savings in households is compared. The value of the savings hereby depends on the profile of the reduced electricity demand. We establish the link between the aggregated hourly household load profile in Denmark and specific categories of household appliances. The objective is to evaluate the fossil fuel effect and value of increasing the average efficiency of different types of appliances. More efficient appliances are assumed to reduce the load curve for each appliance category proportionally. Policy implications relate to the finding that different types of electricity savings have very different emissions and capacity value effects. Potentially it may be relevant to support electricity savings (investment in efficient appliances) differently depending on the hourly profile of the savings. We want to clarify if some end-uses provide better social return on the investment in the efficient appliance model/version than others? The result suggests that savings in efficient lighting have much higher value than a corresponding annual saving in cold appliances