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A field study was designed to examine the role of perceived cultural differences and patterns of language use regarding intergroup relations in Quebec. The participants were 90 francophone and anglophone executives who were involved in a special three-day program requiring intensive interaction and cooperation to complete their task requirements. A questionnaire, administered at the end of the program, focused on participants' beliefs about Francophone and Anglophone differences in approach to and execution of the job, as well as patterns of language use throughout the three-day period.Most francophones believed that cultural differences do exist and they respected the unique attributes of both groups. Most anglophones did not believe in the current existence of cultural differences, the specific characteristics of the two groups having been blended over time. The English language was used more than would be predicted on the basis of the number of francophones and anglophones; however, there was greater language parity than has historically been reported.

This study compares the cost of treating 23 children admitted to a residential treatment unit in a psychiatric hospital and 23 children admitted to the same unit after it was converted to a day treatment program, through a retrospective chart review. The two groups were similar in age, gender, diagnosis, severity of pathology, family functioning and support, the number of subjects who dropped-out, and treatment outcome. The average length of stay on the unit dropped from 19.6 to 6.1 months, and the average cost of treatment per child decreased from $61,412 to $9,213 (Canadian dollars, adjusted for inflation). The sharp decrease in treatment time with day treatment may be the result of close links with community schools and maintaining the child in the family and community. The cost savings can be attributed to the shorter hospital stays and the lower operating costs of day treatment. Implications of these findings will be discussed with respect to health care policy including the need to raise awareness of day treatment as a cost-effective alternative to residential hospital treatment.