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Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and attitudes of medical residents working in Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, on genetic tests for breast and colorectal cancer. Methods. We distributed self-administered questionnaire to the residents. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the determinants of knowledge and attitudes towards the tests. Results. Of 754 residents, 364 filled in questionnaire. Around 70% and 20% answered correctly >80% of questions on breast and colorectal cancer tests, respectively. Knowledge on tests for breast cancer was higher among residents who attended course on cancer genetic testing during graduate training (odds ratio (OR): 1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–2.82) and inversely associated with male gender (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.35–0.87). As for colorectal cancer, residents were more knowledgeable if they attended courses on cancer genetic testing (OR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.07–4.03) or postgraduate training courses in epidemiology and evidence-based medicine (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.03–3.69). More than 70% asked for the additional training on the genetic tests for cancer during the specialization school. Conclusion. The knowledge of Italian residents on genetic tests for colorectal cancer appears to be insufficient. There is a need for additional training in this field.

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Background: transplantation of human organs and tissues saves many lives and restores essential functions in combination of high measurable quality indicators. In spite of the fact that organ transplants have saved thousands of lives and greatly improved the quality of life of thousands more, regrettably many people will not benefit from this therapeutic procedure. Methods: this review is based on economic evaluation studies published since 2000 and reviews published since 1987 for kidney, liver, lung, heart, pancreas, and small bowel transplantations that were conducted in 2010. Results: empirical evidence showed that the costs of organ transplantations have generally decreased over time due to improvements in medicine, while survival and quality of life have improved. This indicates that the cost-effectiveness of transplantation has also improved over this period. Conclusions: cost effectiveness studies on organ transplantations could contribute to the efforts of policy makers in maximising societal health benefits by managing society’s scarce resources. The differences between EU country are not only associated with different legal procedures but are also associated with social, organizational and several other factors.