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Non-parametric and parametric applications measuring efficiency in health care
1Health Economics Unit, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University, PO Box 477, West Heidelberg, Melbourne, Victoria 3081, Australia. bruce.hollingsworth@buseco.monash.edu.au
Health Care Management Science
|December 23, 2003
Summary
This review of 188 studies on health care efficiency measurement found public providers show less variability than private ones. It highlights frontier efficiency techniques and future research directions in health economics.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Operations Research
Background:
- Frontier efficiency measurement is crucial for optimizing health care delivery.
- Existing research primarily utilizes non-parametric methods like Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA).
- There's a growing trend towards incorporating parametric techniques, such as Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review and synthesize 188 published papers on frontier efficiency measurement in health care.
- To analyze the methodologies and applications of efficiency measurement techniques in hospital and broader health care settings.
- To identify trends, summarize findings, and suggest future research avenues in health care efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 188 peer-reviewed publications.
- Analysis of non-parametric (Data Envelopment Analysis) and parametric (Stochastic Frontier Analysis) methodologies.
- Meta-type analysis to synthesize findings across studies.
Main Results:
- Public health care provision consistently demonstrates less variability compared to private provision.
- Non-parametric methods remain dominant, but parametric approaches are increasingly adopted.
- Efficiency measurement applications span hospitals and various other health care domains.
Conclusions:
- Public health care systems may offer more consistent performance than private ones.
- The field of health care efficiency measurement is evolving with diverse methodological applications.
- Further research is needed to refine and expand efficiency measurement techniques in health care.