title: How Can Health System Efficiency Be Improved in Canada?
abstract: Improving value for money in the health system is an often-stated policy goal. This study is the first to systematically measure the efficiency of health regions in Canada in producing health gains with their available resources, and to identify the factors that are associated with increased efficiency. Based on the objective elicited from decision-makers that the health system should ensure access to care for Canadians when they need it, we measured the efficiency with which regions reduce causes of death that are amenable to healthcare interventions using a linear programming approach (data envelopment analysis). Variations in efficiency were explained in part by public health factors, such as the prevalence of obesity and smoking in the population; in part by characteristics of the population, such as their average income; and in part by managerial factors, such as hospital readmissions.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Institute for Health Information, Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allin
authors.affiliation: Canadian Institute for Health Information, Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veillard
authors.affiliation: Canadian Institute for Health Information, Toronto, Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grignon
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000191:economics; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D062505:Value-Based Purchasing / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*