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Challenging Encounters and Within-Physician Practice Variability

Author

Listed:
  • Chodick, Gabriel

    (Tel Aviv University)

  • Goldstein, Yoav

    (Tel Aviv University)

  • Shurtz, Ity

    (Ben Gurion University)

  • Zeltzer, Dan

    (Tel Aviv University)

Abstract

We examine how physician decisions are impacted by difficult cases—encounters with newly diagnosed cancer patients. Using detailed administrative data, we compare primary care physicians' decisions in visits that occurred before and after difficult cases and matched comparison cases by the same physicians on other dates. Immediately following a difficult case, physicians increase referrals for common tests, including diagnostic tests unrelated to cancer. The effect lasts only for about an hour and is not driven by patient selection or schedule disruption. The results highlight difficult encounters as a source of variability in physician practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Chodick, Gabriel & Goldstein, Yoav & Shurtz, Ity & Zeltzer, Dan, 2022. "Challenging Encounters and Within-Physician Practice Variability," IZA Discussion Papers 15441, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15441
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    primary care; practice variation; intra-rater reliability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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