Measuring technical efficiency of health centers in Greece : a data envelopment analysis application for the primary health system of Greece

Abstract

PURPOSE: In this paper Data Envelopment Analysis will be applied to investigate the technical efficiency of 196 Heath Centers in Greece. The analysis is referred at their efficiency in the year 2018.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Data were collected by the Ministry of Health and were analyzed by performing quality tests to ensure validity and avoid bias. The method used is the non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis and more specifically the input-oriented, onestage VRS model. Tobit regression analysis was performed to analyze the effect of the Health Region in the efficiency of the Health Centers.

FINDINGS: The results of the paper indicate the efficient Health Centers in Greece, which construct the efficient frontier. The inefficient Health Centers in Greece lie beneath the efficient frontier. Moreover, the 196 Health Centers included in the research were classified depending on the Health Region they belong to, to investigate the effect of the Health Regions in the efficiency measured.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study highlights the importance of measuring the efficiency of Primary Health Care. Taking into consideration the contribution of Health Centers to the National Health System, the results may be used as a guide for improvements for the efficiency of the Health Centers.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The research focus on the underestimated field of Primary Health Care and its importance. The application of Data Envelopment Analysis combined with the Tobit Regression Model reveals a new approach for measuring the efficiency.