International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Measuring the Capacity Utilization of Public District Hospitals in Tunisia: Using Dual Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Chokri Arfa 1
Hervé Leleu 2
Mohamed Goaïed 3
Cornelis van Mosseveld 4
1 Iational Institute of Labour and Social Studies (INTES), University of Carthage, Tunisia, Tunis
2 LEM-CNRS, IÉSEG School of Management, Lille, France
3 LEFA-IHEC, University of Carthage, Tunisia, Tunis
4 Health Economist Expert (free lance)
10.15171/ijhpm.2016.66
Abstract
Background
Public district hospitals (PDHs) in Tunisia are not operating at full plant capacity and underutilize their operating budget.
 
Methods
Individual PDHs capacity utilization (CU) is measured for 2000 and 2010 using dual data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach with shadow prices input and output restrictions. The CU is estimated for 101 of 105 PDH in 2000 and 94 of 105 PDH in 2010.
 
Results
In average, unused capacity is estimated at 18% in 2010 vs. 13% in 2000. Of PDHs 26% underutilize their operating budget in 2010 vs. 21% in 2000.
 
Conclusion
Inadequate supply, health quality and the lack of operating budget should be tackled to reduce unmet user’s needs and the bypassing of the PDHs and, thus to increase their CU. Social health insurance should be turned into a direct purchaser of curative and preventive care for the PDHs.

Highlights

 

 

Watch the Video Summary here. 

 

Keywords
Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)
Shadow Prices
Capacity Utilization (CU)
Public District Hospitals
(PDHs)
Tunisia
Subjects

 

 

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International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 6, Issue 1
2017
Pages 9-18

  • Received Date 20 August 2015
  • Revised Date 06 June 2016
  • Accepted Date 25 May 2016
  • First Published Date 01 January 2017
  • Published Date 01 January 2017