Relative inefficiencies in production between solo and group practice physicians

Health Econ. 1997 Sep-Oct;6(5):455-65. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1050(199709)6:5<455::aid-hec290>3.0.co;2-s.

Abstract

Health economists have hypothesized for some time that physicians produce medical care in an inefficient manner. Further, whether solo or group practice physicians are relatively more inefficient has been a question of particular interest. Theoretical considerations suggest that solo and group practice physicians face different behavioural and production constraints, implying that they may produce care at different levels of efficiency; which is more efficient is an empirical question. We employed stochastic production frontier estimation to address this issue.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Efficiency, Organizational / statistics & numerical data*
  • Group Practice / economics*
  • Group Practice / organization & administration
  • Group Practice / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Models, Econometric
  • Practice Management, Medical / economics*
  • Practice Management, Medical / statistics & numerical data
  • Private Practice / economics*
  • Private Practice / organization & administration
  • Private Practice / statistics & numerical data
  • Stochastic Processes
  • United States