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Determinants of access to physician services in Italy: a latent class seemingly unrelated probit approach

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  • Vincenzo Atella
  • Francesco Brindisi
  • Partha Deb
  • Furio C. Rosati

Abstract

We examine access to general practitioners and specialists who work in the public and private sectors in Italy using a seemingly unrelated system of probits. We use a latent class formulation that provides a rich and flexible functional form and can accommodate non‐normality of response probabilities. The empirical analysis shows that patient behavior can be clustered in two latent classes. We find that income strongly influences the mix of services. Richer individuals are less likely to seek care from GP's and more likely to seek care from specialists, and especially private specialists. Health status and societal vulnerability are the most important indicators of class membership. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincenzo Atella & Francesco Brindisi & Partha Deb & Furio C. Rosati, 2004. "Determinants of access to physician services in Italy: a latent class seemingly unrelated probit approach," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 13(7), pages 657-668, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:13:y:2004:i:7:p:657-668
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.860
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    JEL classification:

    • C35 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions

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