Application of Data Envelopment Analysis to Evaluate Health Regions Efficiency in Saudi Arabia

Authors

  • Walid Abdelfattah Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Science, Northern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
  • Bader S. Alanazi Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Science, Northern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
Volume: 14 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 13902-13908 | June 2024 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.7176

Abstract

Efficient healthcare systems must provide quality care, ensuring equitable access and sustaining financial viability. This study employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate the efficiency of healthcare regions in Saudi Arabia over a five-year period (2017-2021). Departing from traditional hospital-centric assessments, the study takes a regional approach, offering a holistic view of the entire healthcare system. Inputs such as number of beds, physicians, and nurses, along with outputs like outpatients and inpatients, were considered. The study not only provides efficiency scores but also identifies reference health regions, benchmarks, and tangible targets for improvement. Notably, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare efficiency is analyzed, providing insights into adaptive strategies during crises. The findings contribute to the understanding of regional healthcare dynamics, offering actionable insights for policymakers, facilitating evidence-based resource allocation, and informing strategies for continuous improvement. Future research directions include a global benchmarking analysis and a qualitative exploration of policy implications. This study bridges the gap between academic research and practical policy considerations, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and resilience in healthcare systems.

Keywords:

data envelopment analysis, efficiency evaluation, efficiency improvement, regional healtcare

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

R. J. Brent, "Cost-Benefit Analysis versus Cost-Effectiveness Analysis from a Societal Perspective in Healthcare," International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 20, no. 5, Jan. 2023, Art. no. 4637.

M. M. Bala, S. Singh, and D. K. Gautam, "Stochastic frontier approach to efficiency analysis of health facilities in providing services for non-communicable diseases in eight LMICs," International Health, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 512–525, Sep. 2023.

N. M. Capeletti, C. A. F. Amado, and S. P. Santos, "Performance assessment of primary health care services using data envelopment analysis and the quality-adjusted malmquist index," Journal of the Operational Research Society, vol. 75, no. 2, pp. 361–377, Feb. 2024.

M. Mirmozaffari and N. Kamal, "The Application of Data Envelopment Analysis to Emergency Departments and Management of Emergency Conditions: A Narrative Review," Healthcare, vol. 11, no. 18, Jan. 2023, Art. no. 2541.

R. Stefko, B. Gavurova, and K. Kocisova, "Healthcare efficiency assessment using DEA analysis in the Slovak Republic," Health Economics Review, vol. 8, no. 1, Mar. 2018, Art. no. 6.

R. Mbau et al., "Analysing the Efficiency of Health Systems: A Systematic Review of the Literature," Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 205–224, 2023.

L. O’Neill, M. Rauner, K. Heidenberger, and M. Kraus, "A cross-national comparison and taxonomy of DEA-based hospital efficiency studies," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 158–189, Sep. 2008.

B. Gavurova, K. Kocisova, and J. Sopko, "Health system efficiency in OECD countries: dynamic network DEA approach," Health Economics Review, vol. 11, no. 1, Oct. 2021, Art. no. 40.

H. Seddighi, F. Nosrati Nejad, and M. Basakha, "Health systems efficiency in Eastern Mediterranean Region: a data envelopment analysis," Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation, vol. 18, no. 1 Jul. 2020, Art. no. 22.

S. Cinaroglu, "Integrated k-means clustering with data envelopment analysis of public hospital efficiency," Health Care Management Science, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 325–338, Sep. 2020.

G. Gong, Y. Chen, H. Gao, D. Su, and J. Chang, "Has the Efficiency of China’s Healthcare System Improved after Healthcare Reform? A Network Data Envelopment Analysis and Tobit Regression Approach," International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 16, no. 23, Jan. 2019, Art. no. 4847.

M. Sun, Y. Ye, G. Zhang, Y. Xue, and X. Shang, "Measuring the efficiency of public hospitals: A multistage data envelopment analysis in Fujian Province, China," Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 11, Mar. 2023.

A. D. Alatawi, L. W. Niessen, and J. A. M. Khan, "Efficiency evaluation of public hospitals in Saudi Arabia: an application of data envelopment analysis," BMJ Open, vol. 10, no. 1, Jan. 2020, Art. no. e031924.

A. G. Aldabahi, M. H. Juni, R. A.m, L. P. Ying, and F. I, "Studying the Efficiency of Hospitals in the Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA): A Conceptual Approach," International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 1–19, Jan. 2020.

S. Helal and H. Elimam, "Measuring the Efficiency of Health Services Areas in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA): A Comparative Study between the Years 2014 and 2006," International Journal of Economics and Finance, vol. 9, no. 4, Mar. 2017, Art. no. p172.

A. Charnes, W. W. Cooper, and E. Rhodes, "Measuring the efficiency of decision making units," European Journal of Operational Research, vol. 2, no. 6, pp. 429–444, Nov. 1978.

S. Kohl, J. Schoenfelder, A. Fügener, and J. O. Brunner, "The use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in healthcare with a focus on hospitals," Health Care Management Science, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 245–286, Jun. 2019.

"Current health expenditure (% of GDP) - Saudi Arabia," World Bank Open Data. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=SA.

A. Alghamdi, T. Alsubait, A. Baz, and H. Alhakami, "Healthcare Analytics: A Comprehensive Review," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 6650–6655, Feb. 2021.

M. Z. Zubir et al., "Approach in Inputs & Outputs Selection of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Efficiency Measurement in Hospital: A Systematic Review." medRxiv, Oct. 19, 2023, Art. no. 2023.10.18.23297223.

"Statistical Yearbook," Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia. https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Pages/Default.aspx.

K. Koklonis, M. Sarafidis, M. Vastardi, and D. Koutsouris, "Utilization of Machine Learning in Supporting Occupational Safety and Health Decisions in Hospital Workplace," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 7262–7272, Jun. 2021.

H. Reffad, A. Alti, and A. Almuhirat, "A Dynamic Adaptive Bio-Inspired Multi-Agent System for Healthcare Task Deployment," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 10192–10198, Feb. 2023.

Downloads

How to Cite

[1]
Abdelfattah, W. and Alanazi, B.S. 2024. Application of Data Envelopment Analysis to Evaluate Health Regions Efficiency in Saudi Arabia. Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research. 14, 3 (Jun. 2024), 13902–13908. DOI:https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.7176.

Metrics

Abstract Views: 378
PDF Downloads: 354

Metrics Information

Most read articles by the same author(s)