An Investigation and Evaluation of Efficiency in Primary and Secondary Healthcare System of India Using DEA
摘要
The rising costs of public healthcare have made efficient operation increasingly important. Evidence-based evaluations are essential for policymakers. Assessing efficiency in primary and secondary care systems is complex due to multiple input and output indicators. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a non-parametric method, is used to evaluate the relative efficiency of healthcare facilities, considering inputs like financial, human, infrastructure, and material resources, and outputs such as clinical outcomes, service efficiency, patient satisfaction, and access to care. Using secondary data from healthcare centers across India, both input- and output-oriented DEA models were applied. Results showed significant variability in efficiency, with benchmarks identified for improvement. Key determinants of efficiency include financial management, staffing, and infrastructure quality. The study offers policy recommendations to enhance healthcare delivery and emphasizes the need for continuous efficiency monitoring.