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Physician induced demand for C-sections: does the convenience incentive matter?

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  • Lefevre, M.

Abstract

This paper investigates whther physicians induce demand for C-sections in the days preceding leisure periods. I reject that doctors are meaningfully increasing the number of primary cesareans to accommodate their own preferences for control of deliveries around holiday Mondays. Using a sample of more than 1,300,000 deliveries, I can estimate that the induced demand due to convenience is close to zero. A small significant effect is found for women having had a previous C-section. While I replicate previous results of lower C-section rates on leisure periods, I show that they are due to the way doctors schedule planned cesareans rather than to an induced demand for reason of physicians' convenience. If induced demand occurs, the decision takes place in the labour room and is not planned in advance.

Suggested Citation

  • Lefevre, M., 2014. "Physician induced demand for C-sections: does the convenience incentive matter?," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 14/08, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    • Handle: RePEc:yor:hectdg:14/08
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sara Allin & Michael Baker & Maripier Isabelle & Mark Stabile, 2015. "Accounting for the Rise in C-sections: Evidence from Population Level Data," NBER Working Papers 21022, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Costa-Ramón, Ana María & Rodríguez-González, Ana & Serra-Burriel, Miquel & Campillo-Artero, Carlos, 2018. "It's about time: Cesarean sections and neonatal health," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 46-59.
    3. Yu, Serena & Fiebig, Denzil G. & Viney, Rosalie & Scarf, Vanessa & Homer, Caroline, 2022. "Private provider incentives in health care: The case of caesarean births," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    4. Fabbri, Daniele & Monfardini, Chiara & Castaldini, Ilaria & Protonotari, Adalgisa, 2016. "Cesarean section and the manipulation of exact delivery time," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(7), pages 780-789.
    5. Graham Cookson & Ioannis Laliotis, 2018. "Promoting normal birth and reducing caesarean section rates: An evaluation of the Rapid Improvement Programme," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(4), pages 675-689, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    C-section; convenience incentive; physician induced demand;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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