Jenny Morris

The internal structure of the EPQ scales

Abstract Previous studies have shown that the Extraversion scale of the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) comprises two discriminable subscales labelled Impulsivity and Sociability, but that the corresponding scale on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) measures sociability alone. Recent evidence suggests that the EPI Neuroticism scale also incorporates empirically meaningful subscales, and investigations of the factor structure of the EPQ have indicated that Psychoticism items reflect a diverse range of constructs. The aim of the present study is to extend this earlier work by exploring in more detail the components of the EPQ scales.

Recent changes in the surgical management of T1 2 breast cancer in England

Following the results of a study undertaken in 1985, a second survey was undertaken to examine whether there had been any changes in England in the surgical management of patients with a T1/2/NOMO breast cancer. The major findings were that: (i) there was a significant increase in the number of surgeons who would undertake breast conservation surgery; (ii) there was a significant increase in the number of surgeons who would discuss breast reconstruction where mastectomy was the preferred form of treatment; (iii) that significantly more surgeons would offer the patient a choice of surgery when there was more than one surgical option; and (iv) that significantly more surgeons had access to a breast specialist nurse and/or a cancer counsellor. These changes are consistent with the recommendations of the 1986 Kings Fund Consensus Conference for breast cancer treatment.

Economic evaluation and quality of life assessments in cancer clinical trials: the CHART Trial.

Arguments are being made more frequently to incorporate economic evaluations and quality of life assessments into clinical trials. Using a randomised, multicentre, phase 3 cancer clinical trial as an example, this paper outlines the importance of including such assessments; the practical considerations associated with the design of such trials; the methods for collecting such data; and, how such data can be used. Finally, it is emphasised that the anticipated benefits of collecting data relating to resource use and quality of life should outweigh the associated costs to research funding organisations.

Quality of Life as an Indicator of Outcome in the Treatment of Cancer Patients: : The Purchaser Perspectives

Evaluation of treatment can be seen as part of a wider concern to measure quality of care, as well as about the need to monitor and improve the effectiveness of services. Quality of life issues will be of increasing interest to those involved in the commissioning of health-care services. Cancer is used to illustrate how the quality of life of patients, both during and after treatment, can be measured and the information used by purchasers to consider the relative effectiveness of different methods of treatment. This in turn can inform the overall purchasing strategy of commissioning agencies.

Surgical treatment for early breast cancer: Should the patient decide?

Conservative surgery followed by a course of radiotherapy has been shown to be as effective as mastectomy in terms of survival and disease-free interval. This has led to an increase in the number of surgeons who undertake conservative surgery for early breast cancer. However, some studies have shown that, when offered a choice of surgery, some women elect mastectomy. Such results highlight the need for patients to be fully involved in the decision made about surgery, especially in the circumstances where there is more than one surgical option and a choice of surgery can be offered.