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Choice, quality and patients’ experience: evidence from a Finnish physiotherapy service

Author

Listed:
  • Visa Pitkänen

    (Social Insurance Institution of Finland)

  • Ismo Linnosmaa

    (University of Eastern Finland
    National Institute for Health and Welfare)

Abstract

We study the relationship between patient choices and provider quality in a rehabilitation service for disabled patients who receive the service frequently but do not have access to quality information. Previous research has found a positive relationship between patient choices and provider quality in health services that patients typically do not have previous experience or use frequently. We contribute by examining choices of new patients and experienced patients who were either forced to switch or actively switched their provider. In the analysis, we combine register data on patients’ choices and switches with provider quality data from a competitive bidding, and estimate conditional logit choice models. The results show that all patients prefer high-quality providers within short distances. We find that the willingness to travel for quality is highest among new patients and active switchers. These results suggest that new patients and active switchers compare different alternatives more thoroughly, whereas forced switchers choose their new provider in limited time leading into poorer choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Visa Pitkänen & Ismo Linnosmaa, 2021. "Choice, quality and patients’ experience: evidence from a Finnish physiotherapy service," International Journal of Health Economics and Management, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 229-245, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:ijhcfe:v:21:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s10754-020-09293-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10754-020-09293-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Visa Pitkänen, 2022. "Competition and efficiency in repeated procurements: Lessons from the Finnish rehabilitation markets," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(5), pages 820-835, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Choice; Quality; Competition; Demand; Health care;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets

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