Ulf Gerdtham
Professor
Econometric analysis of variation in cesarean section rates : A cross- sectional study of 59 obstetrical departments in Sweden
Author
Summary, in English
The objective of this study was to explain the variation in cesarean section rates among hospitals (obstetrical departments) in Sweden, and to discuss its potential economic consequences. Using data from The Swedish Medical Birth Registry 1991, we made a cross-sectional study of the cesarean section rate at the departmental level. We identified some 20 determinants, demand-related as well as supply-related. A general model including all these regressors was species. After reducing this model, we were able to explain about one-quarter of the variation. We conclude that the large variation in cesarean section rates indicates inefficiency, due mainly to overutilization, but perhaps also underutilization. It is difficult to calculate the economic consequences or the welfare loss to society. We estimated an additional cost for unnecessary cesarean sections of 13-16 million Swedish crowns (SEK) per year.
Publishing year
1998-01-01
Language
English
Pages
774-787
Publication/Series
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care
Volume
14
Issue
4
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Topic
- Economics
- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy
Keywords
- Cesarean Section
- Economics
- Practice Patterns
- Regression Analysis
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0266-4623