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Time Constraints and the Quality of Physician Care

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  • Alquezar-Yus, M.;

Abstract

This paper studies how time constraints affect the quality of physician care. Insufficient examination time may hamper physicians’ care and diagnostic provision, leaving physicians more inclined to over-prescribe medication. I test this prediction using high frequency data from a Spanish outpatient department and leverage on-the-day cancellations as random time shocks. I find that longer visits lead to better care, measured by providing more detailed diagnoses, higher testing intensity, and lower drug prescriptions. These effects are driven by junior physicians, who use this extra time to compensate for their more overloaded shifts.

Suggested Citation

  • Alquezar-Yus, M.;, 2023. "Time Constraints and the Quality of Physician Care," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 23/06, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    • Handle: RePEc:yor:hectdg:23/06
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    healthcare productivity; quantity-quality trade-off; contracts; decision-making;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H0 - Public Economics - - General
    • I0 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - General
    • J0 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General

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