Explaining regional variations in health care utilization between Swiss cantons using panel econometric models.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In spite of a detailed and nation-wide legislation frame, there exist large cantonal disparities in consumed quantities of health care services in Switzerland. In this study, the most important factors of influence causing these regional disparities are determined. The findings can also be productive for discussing the containment of health care consumption in other countries.

Methods

Based on the literature, relevant factors that cause geographic disparities of quantities and costs in western health care systems are identified. Using a selected set of these factors, individual panel econometric models are calculated to explain the variation of the utilization in each of the six largest health care service groups (general practitioners, specialist doctors, hospita

SUBMITTER: Camenzind PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3386862 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature