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Background Evidence is missing on showcasing current practices of degree programs specific to the field of pharmaceutical outcomes research. Objectives To measure current practices of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research PhD programs in the United States and synthesize recommendations for improving the success of programs and prospective students. Methods A 23-question online survey instrument was created and distributed to 32 program directors identified in the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research educational directory. Descriptive statistics summarized both the program characteristics (including observed and desired number of faculty and students) and training recommendations (traits of program and student success). Results Of 30 eligible programs that conferred a PhD in pharmacoeconomics, pharmaceutical outcomes research, or a related field, 16 respondents (53%) completed the survey. Seventy-five percent of respondents were located in a school of pharmacy. The average observed number of faculty (7.5) and students (11.5) was lower than the average desired numbers (8.1) and (14.7), respectively. Reputation of faculty research and a collaborative environment with other disciplines were rated highest for a program’s success. Faculty’s mentoring experience and reputation and student funding opportunities were rated highest for prospective students’ success. Conclusions Existing and emerging programs as well as prospective students can use these findings to further their chances of success.

Purpose Estimate separate and combined prevalence of depression and frequent substance use (FSU), evaluate gender differences, and compare the severity of depression and substance use across groups in a sample of youth in the U.S. child welfare system. Methods Data on youth aged 11 to 15 years from the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being were used (N = 1179). Depression was assessed using the Children's Depression Inventory. Substances assessed included tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, hard drugs, and use of prescription medication for non-medical purposes. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to estimate and compare prevalence rates. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the age-adjusted effect of gender on depression/FSU. Results Depression was more than twice as common in girls as boys (17% versus 7%, p Conclusions Although the prevalence of depression was significantly higher among girls than boys, there were no gender differences in FSU prevalence. Boys with comorbid depression and FSU had more severe depressive symptoms as those with depression only.

This study utilized data on a treatment cohort from a randomized clinical trial that recruited adolescents with co-occurring major depression and substance use disorder (N=126). The purpose of this study was to compare adolescents for whom the onset of depression was first versus those for whom the onset of substance use disorder was first or in the same year as depression. Intake clinical evaluations were abstracted to yield common stressors that included childhood abuse, early loss or death, exposure to violence, and attachment problems. Tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis initiation and dependence were compared for the depression first and substance use disorder first groups, and within those groups by gender. Among the substances studied, only cannabis dependence was significantly more prevalent among those with depression first. Comparisons suggest some differences in the developmental path toward comorbid depression and substance use disorders, but remarkable similarity in measures of dependence and severity. Although small samples limited statistical significance, observed differences suggest possible avenues for prevention or intervention.

Objective: To evaluate the association between Medicaid mental health capitation and youth's involvement with the juvenile justice system. Method: A longitudinal, quasi-experimental pre/post design was used. Using administrative databases, juvenile justice contact, defined as any detention or commitment, was assessed for 13,365 Medicaid-eligible youths, aged 10–17 years, who received public mental health services over a 3-year period (1994–1997) in the state of Colorado. Results: There was no significant effect of financing when secular time was controlled for (interaction financing × time: hazard rate=0.92, p = .62). The main effects model demonstrates a significant secular trend with juvenile justice contacts decreasing over time for both types of financing (hazard rate=0.80, p = .002) and a significant effect of financing with eventually capitated sites having higher rates of juvenile justice contact compared with sites that remained fee-for-service (hazard rate=1.24, p = .009). Multivariate analyses controlled for demographics, mental health and substance use diagnoses, and other risk factors for juvenile justice contact. Conclusions: After adjustment for secular trends, capitation was not associated with a reduction in juvenile justice contact. Nonetheless, these findings provide evidence that capitation did not increase the risk of juvenile justice contact.

s S313 Conclusion: The risk of thrombosis after anticoagulation reversal in our cohort of CF-LVAD patients was acceptably low.