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Research Article
The measurement of efficiency and productivity of health care delivery
Article first published online: 13 AUG 2008
DOI: 10.1002/hec.1391
Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1099-1050/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=af8abe1b1dd6990bc2f6af06e451153b7d74332a "Health Economics")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Hollingsworth, B. (2008), The measurement of efficiency and productivity of health care delivery. Health Econ., 17: 1107–1128. doi: 10.1002/hec.1391
Publication History
- Issue published online: 11 SEP 2008
- Article first published online: 13 AUG 2008
- Manuscript Accepted: 3 JUN 2008
- Manuscript Revised: 18 APR 2008
- Manuscript Received: 19 APR 2007
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- efficiency measurement;
- productivity;
- health care;
- parametric;
- non-parametric;
- stochastic frontiers;
- data envelopment analysis
Abstract
The measurement of efficiency and productivity of health service delivery has become a small industry. This is a review of 317 published papers on frontier efficiency measurement. The techniques used are mainly based on non-parametric data envelopment analysis, but there is increasing use of parametric techniques, such as stochastic frontier analysis. Applications to hospitals and other health care organizations and areas are reviewed and summarised, and some meta-type analysis undertaken. Cautious conclusions are that public provision may be potentially more efficient than private, in certain settings. The paper also considers conceptualizations of efficiency, and points to dangers and opportunities in generating such information. Finally, some criteria for assessing the use and usefulness of efficiency studies are established, with a view to helping both researchers and those assessing whether or not to act upon published results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.