scholarly journals Microcredit Contracts, Risk Diversification and Loan Take-Up

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1797-1842
Author(s):  
Orazio Attanasio ◽  
Britta Augsburg ◽  
Ralph De Haas
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Joint Liability ◽  
Risk Environments ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Subjective Risk ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract We study theoretically and empirically the demand for microcredit under different liability arrangements and risk environments. A theoretical model shows that the demand for joint-liability loans can exceed that for individual-liability loans when risk-averse borrowers value their long-term relationship with the lender. Joint liability then offers a way to diversify risk and reduce the chance of losing access to future loans. We also show that the demand for loans depends negatively on the riskiness of projects. Using data from a randomised controlled trial in Mongolia we find that these model predictions hold true empirically. In particular, we use innovative data on subjective risk perceptions to show that expected project risk negatively affects the demand for loans. In line with an insurance role of joint-liability contracts, this effect is muted in villages where joint-liability loans are available.

scholarly journals Older adults’ experiences of using a wearable activity tracker with health professional feedback over a 12-month randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 205520762092167
Author(s):  
Katie-Jane Brickwood ◽  
Andrew D Williams ◽  
Greig Watson ◽  
Jane O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Professional ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Objective Wearable activity trackers can help older adults remain physically active. However, knowledge of the user experience during long-term use is scarce. Therefore, this study examined older adults’ experiences with, and perceptions of, wearable activity trackers combined with health professional feedback after a year’s use as part of a randomised controlled trial. Methods Twenty older adults (73.6 ± 5.5 years) who had used a Jawbone UP24 activity tracker for 12 months during a randomised controlled trial were recruited for this study. All participants had at least one chronic condition. Acceptability data relating to activity tracker wear time was combined with focus group data to explore participants experiences of long-term activity tracker use. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results The activity tracker was well-accepted with the device worn on an average of 86% of possible days and participants reported an overall positive experience. Four themes were identified: (a) increased sense of awareness of activity levels is related to motivation; (b) the level of engagement with the activity tracker influences the user experience; (c) the role of feedback from a health professional in providing ongoing support; d) the role of habits in supporting long-term behaviour change. Conclusions The use of an activity tracker combined with health professional support can assist older adults to maintain their activity levels over 12 months. Consideration should be given to the previous technology experience of users and the design and accuracy of an activity tracker when recommending their use in a research or clinical setting.

scholarly journals Experiencing the risk of overutilising opioids among patients with chronic non-cancer pain in ambulatory care (ERONA): the protocol of an exploratory, randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e037642
Author(s):  
Odette Wegwarth ◽  
Claudia Spies ◽  
Erika Schulte ◽  
Joerg J Meerpohl ◽  
Christine Schmucker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Max Planck ◽  
Term Administration ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionThe US opioid crisis and increasing prescription rates in Europe suggest inappropriate risk perceptions and behaviours of people who prescribe, take or advise on opioids: physicians, patients and pharmacists. Findings from cognitive and decision science in areas other than drug safety suggest that people’s risk perception and behaviour can differ depending on whether they learnt about a risk through personal experience or description. Experiencing the risk of overutilising opioids among patients with chronic non-cancer pain in ambulatory care (ERONA) is the first-ever conducted trial that aims at investigating the effects of these two modes of learning on individuals’ risk perception and behaviour in the long-term administration of WHO-III opioids in chronic non-cancer pain.Methods and analysisERONA—an exploratory, randomised controlled online survey intervention trial with two parallel arms—will examine the opioid-associated risk perception and behaviour of four groups involved in the long-term administration of WHO-III opioids: (1) family physicians, (2) physicians specialised in pain therapy, (3) patients with chronic (≥3 months) non-cancer pain and (4) pharmacists who regularly dispense narcotic substances. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two online risk education interventions, description based or experiencebased. Both interventions will present the best medical evidence available. Participants will be queried at baseline and after intervention on their risk perception of opioids’ benefit–harm ratio, their medical risk literacy and their current/intended risk behaviour (in terms of prescribing, taking or counselling, depending on study group). A follow-up will occur after 9 months, when participants will be queried on their actual risk behaviour. The study was developed by the authors and will be conducted by the market research institution IPSOS Health.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and social media.Trial registration numberDRKS00020358.

scholarly journals Nurse-based secondary preventive follow-up by telephone reduced recurrence of cardiovascular events: a randomised controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Lotta Irewall ◽  
Anders Ulvenstam ◽  
Anna Graipe ◽  
Joachim Ögren ◽  
Thomas Mooe
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Primary Endpoint ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Secondary Endpoints ◽  
Randomised Controlled

AbstractEnhanced follow-up is needed to improve the results of secondary preventive care in patients with established cardiovascular disease. We examined the effect of long-term, nurse-based, secondary preventive follow-up by telephone on the recurrence of cardiovascular events. Open, randomised, controlled trial with two parallel groups. Between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014, consecutive patients (n = 1890) admitted to hospital due to stroke, transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were included. Participants were randomised (1:1) to nurse-based telephone follow-up (intervention, n = 944) or usual care (control, n = 946) and followed until 31 December 2017. The primary endpoint was a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, cardiac revascularisation, and cardiovascular death. The individual components of the primary endpoint, TIA, and all-cause mortality were analysed as secondary endpoints. The assessment of outcome events was blinded to study group assignment. After a mean follow-up of 4.5 years, 22.7% (n = 214) of patients in the intervention group and 27.1% (n = 256) in the control group reached the primary composite endpoint (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.68–0.97; ARR 4.4%, 95% CI 0.5–8.3). Secondary endpoints did not differ significantly between groups. Nurse-based secondary preventive follow-up by telephone reduced the recurrence of cardiovascular events during long-term follow-up.

scholarly journals Long-term outcomes of two-stage, immediate and delayed breast reconstruction with polyurethane-covered versus textured implants: protocol of a prospective, multicentre randomised controlled trial (TIPI trial)

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e044219
Author(s):  
J X Harmeling ◽  
Kevin Peter Cinca ◽  
Eleni-Rosalina Andrinopoulou ◽  
Eveline M L Corten ◽  
M A Mureau
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Capsular Contracture ◽  
Tissue Expander ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionTwo-stage implant-based breast reconstruction is the most commonly performed postmastectomy reconstructive technique. During the first stage, a tissue expander creates a sufficiently large pocket for the definite breast implant placed in the second stage. Capsular contracture is a common long-term complication associated with implant-based breast reconstruction, causing functional complaints and often requiring reoperation. The exact aetiology is still unknown, but a relationship between the outer surface of the implant and the probability of developing capsular contracture has been suggested. The purpose of this study is to determine whether polyurethane-covered implants result in a different capsular contracture rate than textured implants.Methods and analysisThe Textured Implants versus Polyurethane-covered Implants (TIPI) trial is a multicentre randomised controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation rate and a follow-up of 10 years. A total of 321 breasts of female adults undergoing a two-stage breast reconstruction will be enrolled. The primary outcome is capsular contracture at 10-year follow-up which is graded with the modified Baker classification. It is analysed with survival analysis using a frailty model for clustered interval-censored data, with both an intention-to-treat and per-protocol approach. Secondary outcomes are other complication rates, surgical revision rate, patient satisfaction and quality of life and user-friendliness. Outcomes are measured 2 weeks, 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 years postoperatively. Interim analysis is performed when 1-year, 3-year and 5-year follow-up is completed.Ethics and disseminationThe trial has been reviewed and approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam (MEC-2018-126) and locally by each participating centre. Written informed consent will be obtained from each study participant. The results will be disseminated by publication in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registrationNTR7265.

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