Study on DEA-based Chinese hospital efficiency and applied indicators / 中国卫生政策研究

ABSTRACT

Objective:This study aims to explore recent developments in DEA-based hospital efficiency studies in China, so as to provide reference for further research in DEA-based hospital efficiency. Methods:In this study, a 30-year retrospective systematic review is conducted for the classification of 85 hospital efficiency studies that have been published in China with DEA. The characteristics are summarized and compared with those of international liter-ature according to the selection of input and output indicators to evaluate the normalization of studies in China. Re-sultsThe classification reveals several problems existing in DEA-based hospital efficiency studies in China, such as too few studies on hospital allocation efficiency, the application of simple classical models, imprecise selection of in-put-output indicators, inappropriate application of monetary variables as output indicators, etc. Conclusions and sug-gestionsThe normalization and rationality of DEA methods applied in China’s hospital efficiency research need to be improved, so as to shorten the gap between China and the international world. Chinese researchers should pay more attention to studying the latest international research findings, so as to scientifically select input and output indicators. In depth analysis of methods and application conditions should be conducted so as to improve the normalization and science of China’s hospital efficiency research.