In this issue, we feature telemedicine as a part of E-health, which is interesting for both payers, Ministries of Health of all European Union (EU) states as well as service providers. It should be stressed that the fascination for these solutions  does not correspond with adversity, stemming from legislative barriers in many EU countries.  In not all EU countries legislation allows proper implementation and reimbursement of the services.

Also featured in this issue is an overview of guidelines available in relation to real world data (RWD) methodology research. In conclusion, we need unified standards for evaluating RWD in Europe. However, medical practitioners in Poland who  are important stakeholders involved in determining the future of RWE are interested in data about comparative drug effectiveness and safety (90%), about treatment and prescription patterns (75%) and in degree of patient compliance (70%).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-threatening, debilitating lung disease that severely impacts normal breathing and daily activities.  In 2012, more than 3 million people worldwide lost their lives due to COPD, accounting for 6% of all deaths globally for that year. Two articles - one from Greece (M. Geitona et al.) and the second one from Ukraine (V.Tolubajev et al.) show the problems of COPD, including also cost-effectiveness analysis  of innovative drugs in these countries.

There has been extensive research into the QoL of patients with schizophrenia and it has been consistently reported that schizophrenia significantly reduces the QoL of patients and their caregivers in CEE countries. We feature an interesting article from international authors on stigmatization and discrimination patients with schizophrenia, and an associated impact on their QoL and that of their caregivers.

Our colleagues from Russia ISPOR Chapter present application of multi-criteria decision analysis  (MCDA) and its alternatives in Russian Federation. There are presented pros and cons for this type of analysis, as well as their Western (Forsight) and Russian alternatives (rule of square of decision making, P. Vorobiev, 2003). There are also presented stages, questions and types of MCDA.

Finally, we would like to emphasize that in this issue you will find many other interesting papers.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Journal of Health Policy & Outcomes Research.

Sincerely,
prof. Karina Jahnz-Różyk, Editor-in-Chief

Dr Joanna Lis,  Deputy Editor-in-Chief