Using data envelopment analysis for formative evaluation of radiotherapy services: An exploratory study

Sérgio Santos and Carla A. F. Amado ()
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Carla A. F. Amado: University of Algarve

Chapter Chapter 11 in Advanced Decision Making Methods Applied to Health Care, 2012, pp 173-190 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Radiotherapy is an important element in cancer treatment, both for cure and for palliation. Whilst performance measurement and performance improvement are major concerns of most radiotherapy departments, measuring and managing the performance of these departments is particularly challenging. This article critically explores the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for formative evaluation of radiotherapy services. Following a review of the literature, a conceptual framework for performance assessment of radiotherapy departments is developed and its use illustrated. Our empirical analysis uses mostly data from 2007 and compares the fairness of access to services, technical efficiency, and clinical effectiveness across the English strategic health authorities. The analysis shows that whilst the application of DEA in this context meets some difficulties, it also has great potential by providing valuable information to improve services, especially if used in a formative mode.

Keywords: data envelopment analysis; performance measurement; radiotherapy services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1007/978-88-470-2321-5_11

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