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A Scoring Index of Prioritization Factors Between Patients: An Iberian Comparison
Micaela Pinho1, Ana Pinto Borges
1Author Affiliations: Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies, University Portucalense, Porto; and Research Unit in Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, Aveiro University, Aveiro (Dr Pinho); and European Business School and Research Group of ISAG, Instituto Superior de Administração e Gestão, Porto (Dr Borges), Portugal.
This study developed a health care prioritization index for Portuguese and Spanish citizens, finding equity is highly valued over efficiency. Results show a willingness to sacrifice some efficiency for fairer health resource allocation.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Public Health Policy
- Bioethics
Background:
- Healthcare resource allocation faces increasing pressure.
- Prioritization criteria require public input for legitimacy.
- Existing indices may not reflect Iberian Peninsula values.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop a Prioritization Scoring Index for the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain).
- Weigh the importance of rationing criteria in patient prioritization.
- Understand public preferences for health resource allocation.
Main Methods:
- Online survey distributed to Portuguese (n=355) and Spanish (n=564) general public samples.
- Respondents evaluated 12 hypothetical rationing scenarios using a Likert scale.
- Analysis focused on three allocative considerations: egalitarianism, efficiency, and equity.
Main Results:
- Iberian respondents prioritized treatment outcomes, illness severity, and younger patients.
- Weighting assigned: 57% equity, 40% efficiency, 3% egalitarianism.
- Spaniards prioritized equity and efficiency more than Portuguese, and egalitarianism less.
Conclusions:
- Iberian populations value both equity and efficiency in health resource allocation.
- A strong preference for equity suggests a willingness to trade some efficiency for fairness.
- The developed index can inform equitable and efficient health policy in the region.
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