The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Ulf Gerdtham. Photo.

Ulf Gerdtham

Professor

Ulf Gerdtham. Photo.

Econometric analysis of variation in cesarean section rates : A cross- sectional study of 59 obstetrical departments in Sweden

Author

  • Ingemar Eckerlund
  • Ulf G. Gerdtham

Summary, in English

The objective of this study was to explain the variation in cesarean section rates among hospitals (obstetrical departments) in Sweden, and to discuss its potential economic consequences. Using data from The Swedish Medical Birth Registry 1991, we made a cross-sectional study of the cesarean section rate at the departmental level. We identified some 20 determinants, demand-related as well as supply-related. A general model including all these regressors was species. After reducing this model, we were able to explain about one-quarter of the variation. We conclude that the large variation in cesarean section rates indicates inefficiency, due mainly to overutilization, but perhaps also underutilization. It is difficult to calculate the economic consequences or the welfare loss to society. We estimated an additional cost for unnecessary cesarean sections of 13-16 million Swedish crowns (SEK) per year.

Publishing year

1998-01-01

Language

English

Pages

774-787

Publication/Series

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care

Volume

14

Issue

4

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Topic

  • Economics
  • Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy

Keywords

  • Cesarean Section
  • Economics
  • Practice Patterns
  • Regression Analysis

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0266-4623