Theory of System Level Efficiency in Health Care

I papanicolas, Peter Charles Smith

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Systems level efficiency concerns understanding how well a health system uses the resources at its disposal to improve health and secure related health system objectives. This article first introduces the concept of a health system. It then considers the theory behind systems level efficiency and related concepts such as productivity, technical and allocative efficiency, and goes on to assess the key challenges and debates faced in this area of research. The article relates these theoretical concepts back to health policy to indicate the types of questions that might be considered in any analysis of technical or allocative efficiency.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Health Economics
EditorsA J Culyer
PublisherElsevier
Pages386-394
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)9780123756787
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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