Worlds of Healthcare: A Healthcare System Typology of OECD Countries

Abstract

In this paper, we present an extended typology of OECD healthcare systems. Our theoretical framework integrates the comparative-institutional perspective of existing classifications with current ideas from the international health policy research debate. We argue that combining these two perspectives provides a more comprehensive picture of modern healthcare systems and takes the past decade's dynamic of reforms into account. Moreover, this approach makes the typology more beneficial in terms of understanding and explaining cross-national variation in population health and health inequalities. Empirically, we combine indicators on supply, public-private mix, and institutional access regulations from earlier typologies with information on primary care orientation and performance management in prevention and quality of care. The results from a series of cluster analyses indicate that at least five distinct types of healthcare systems can be identified. Moreover, we provide quantitative information on the consistency of cluster membership for individual countries via system types.

Keywords: health policy; healthcare systems; typology.