The Working Papers in Health Policy and Management series is a product of cutting-edge empirical and policy research conducted by faculty, doctoral candidates and others at the Berlin University of Technology’s Department of Health Care Management. Aiming to encourage intellectual exchange and ensure the rapid dissemination of research findings, the series encompasses both unabridged study reports and works in progress. All issues are official publications – with a series name, volume number and ISBN/ISSN – and may be cited. In cases where a study has been subsequently published in a professional journal, a link has been provided.