Efficiency measurement of OECD health systems using objective weighting: An integrated LOPCOW-DEA model

OpenAlex İngilizce

In this study, the relative efficiency of the health systems of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries is evaluated through Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with an input-oriented variable returns scale (VRS) integrated with the Logic Objective Criteria Weighting (LOPCOW) method. In the study, five inputs (number of physicians (per 1000 people), number of beds (per 1000 people), health expenditure (per capita), number of MRI devices, and smoking) and three outputs (life expectancy, underfive mortality, and maternal mortality) were used. The LOPCOW method was utilized to obtain objective weights, which were integrated into the DEA model. The results indicate that 21 out of 34 OECD countries achieved full efficiency. The low efficiency scores of high-income countries such as Germany and Austria reveal that high health expenditures alone are not sufficient. Clusters of reference analyses show that the most representative countries are Israel, Chile, and Japan. Gap analysis indicates potential inefficiencies for resources and organizational. The findings indicate the need for reforms in health systems to enhance resource efficiency rather than merely increasing resource allocation. The model structure utilizing the objective weighting method offers a decision support mechanism for policymakers.