Development of efficiency evaluation on operations of subdistrict health promotion Hospitals in eastern economic corridor applying mathematical technique of data envelopment analysis
Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to examine the operational efficiency of Tambon Health promoting hospitals (THPHs) in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and to propose the best practices of model hospitals. This study was designed to systematically synthesize the best practices of THPHs and consisted of three steps. First, the quantitative research was conducted to evaluate the operational efficiency of 104 THPHs in Chachoengsao Province. The data regarding five input variables (number of public health personnel, budget for overtime work, budget for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, other expenses, and number of village volunteers) and seven output variables (visits and consultations, community health screening, quality antenatal care, postpartum care, vaccinations, community health care projects, and referrals) in fiscal year 2022 were collected in order to assess the efficiency index using the DEA method. Second, the qualitative research was carried out to synthesize the best practices of 13 model hospitals with an efficiency index of 1.00. Four personnel, including directors, practitioners, community leaders, and village volunteer representatives, from each model hospital were in-depth interviewed, totaling 52 people. The content analysis method was applied to synthesize the interview data in order to create a list of best practices. Third, the appropriateness and practicality of the results were evaluated using the Delphi technique to identify best practices for improving the operational efficiency of THPHs in the study area. The results showed that these 104 THPHs had an average efficiency index of 0.9066, with 60% having an efficiency index of 1.00. When classifying THPHs into three group sizes, the efficiency of THPHs was shown to increase with size, with the average efficiency index of small, medium, and large THPHs being 0.8642, 0.9140, and 0.9417, respectively. The proportion of efficient THPHs also rose with size, reaching 58.14%, 60.00%, and 66.67%, respectively. In terms of efficiency improvement goals, small THPHs had the highest output targets (28.40%), followed by medium THPHs (15.31%) and large THPHs (9.91%). The synthesis of interview data, followed by expert verification using the Delphi technique, 66 best practices met the required criteria (Mdn > 3.50 and IQR < 1.50), with 35 being best practices for input management and 31 being best practices for output management. These best practices can be used as guidelines for developing the operational efficiency of inefficient THPHs and other typical THPHs in the study area. To put these best practices into practice, it is vital to create short- and long-term plans to develop and manage input variables, drive output production according to targets, solve resource constraints, and expand the provision of comprehensive and equal public health services to meet todays increasing health needs.