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COVID-19 and the efficiency of health systems in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Dan Lupu

    (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi)

  • Ramona Tiganasu

    (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi)

Abstract

Background This study aims at analyzing the efficiency of the health systems of 31 European countries in treating COVID-19, for the period January 1, 2020 – January 1, 2021, by incorporating some factors from a multidimensional perspective. Methods The methodology used in the research was Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), through which efficiency scores for health systems have been calculated. The research was performed considering three stages: the first wave (January 1–June 15), the relaxation period (June 15–October 1) and the second wave (October 1–December 31). In evaluating the determinants of the efficiency of health systems, six major fields of influence were taken into account: health care, health status, population, economic, cultural/societal and governmental issues, all covering 15 indicators. After measuring the efficiency, we used the Tobit type regression to establish the influencing elements on it. Results The results for the public health systems of European states were determined for each country and period. We evaluated the efficiency of health systems in Europe against COVID-19, starting from health inputs (COVID-19 cases, physicians, nurses, hospital beds, health expenditure) and output (COVID-19 deaths). The obtained outputs show that, especially in the first phase of the pandemic, the inefficiency of the health systems was quite high, mainly in Western countries (Italy, Belgium, Spain, UK). In the relaxation phase and in the second wave, the Western states, severely affected at the beginning of the pandemic, began to take adequate measures and improve the efficiency of their sanitary systems. Instead, Eastern European countries were hit hard by the inefficiency of health systems (Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Romania). After Tobit regression, results of the study show that the influencing elements are different for the three stages: concerning the first wave, comobirdities, population age, and population density are important; for relaxation period a great influence have government effectiveness and power distance; with respect to second wave, the relevant factors are education and population density. Conclusions The results obtained could serve as starting points for health policymakers to perform comparative analyzes in terms of good practices in the health system and to develop national plans to better deal with health crises. At the same time, they can be used internationally to achieve a coherent and effective community response to the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Lupu & Ramona Tiganasu, 2022. "COVID-19 and the efficiency of health systems in Europe," Health Economics Review, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:hecrev:v:12:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1186_s13561-022-00358-y
    DOI: 10.1186/s13561-022-00358-y
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Henriques, C.O. & Gouveia, M.C., 2022. "Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the efficiency of Portuguese state-owned enterprise hospitals," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    2. Mariana Aparicio Betancourt & Andrea Duarte-Díaz & Helena Vall-Roqué & Laura Seils & Carola Orrego & Lilisbeth Perestelo-Pérez & Jaime Barrio-Cortes & María Teresa Beca-Martínez & Almudena Molina Serr, 2022. "Global Healthcare Needs Related to COVID-19: An Evidence Map of the First Year of the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-23, August.
    3. E. Musoke & B.L. Yawe & J.D. Ssentamu, 2023. "Determinants of technical efficiency of health systems in African least developed countries: A two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach," Journal of Economic Policy and Management Issues, JEPMI, vol. 2(1), pages 59-75.
    4. Pourmahmoud, Jafar & Bagheri, Narges, 2023. "Uncertain Malmquist productivity index: An application to evaluate healthcare systems during COVID-19 pandemic," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 87(PA).
    5. Raluca-Elena Caunic & Anca-Laura Asandului, 2023. "Considerations Of Efficiency Of The Romanian Public Hospitals During The Covid-19 Pandemic," Review of Economic and Business Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 31, pages 145-153, June.
    6. Anna Augustynowicz & Janusz Opolski & Michał Waszkiewicz, 2022. "Health Security: Definition Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-7, August.
    7. Mahmoud M. H. Alayis & Nermine Atteya, 2023. "Executive Decisions in Emergencies and Innovation in Supply Chain: A Suggested Model," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 18(5), pages 220-220, October.
    8. Lorena Androutsou & Michail Kokkinos & Dimitra Latsou & Mary Geitona, 2022. "Assessing the Efficiency and Productivity of the Hospital Clinics on the Island of Rhodes during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, November.
    9. Claudio Thieme & Víctor Giménez & Diego Prior & Emili Tortosa-Ausina, 2023. "Health vs. Wealth: A Cross-country Analysis of Managerial Effectiveness of the COVID-19," Working Papers 2023/10, Economics Department, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón (Spain).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; European health systems; Efficiency; Data envelopment analysis (DEA); Policy recommendations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • C67 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Input-Output Models
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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