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Unraveling the role of structural and social network ties in patient sharing networks

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4598070
AutoresDaan Westra (0000-0003-1791-3626, Maastricht University, autor correspondente), Peter Makai (0000-0002-5332-1751, Erasmus University Rotterdam), Ron Kemp (0000-0003-2259-7541, Erasmus University Rotterdam)
Ano2024
Volume340
Páginas116351
Data de publicação2024-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSocial Science & Medicine (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0277-9536 • E-ISSN: 1873-5347
EditoraElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116351
PMID38043439
OpenAlexW4388294980
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas39

Healthcare is increasingly delivered through networks of organizations. Well-structured patient sharing networks are known to have positive associations with the quality of delivered services. However, the drivers of patient sharing relations are rarely studied explicitly. In line with recent developments in network and integration theorizing, we hypothesize that structural and social network ties between organizations are uniquely associated with a higher number of shared patients. We test these hypotheses using a Bayesian zero-dispersed Poisson regression model within the Additive and Multiplicative Effects Framework based on administrative claims data from 732,122 dermatological patients from the Netherlands in 2017. Our results indicate that 2.6% of all dermatological patients are shared and that the amount of shared patients is significantly associated with structural (i.e. emergency contracts) and social (i.e. shared physicians) ties between organizations, confirming our hypotheses. We also find some evidence that patients are shared with more capable organizations. Our findings highlight the role of relational ties in the way health services are delivered. At the same time, they also raise some potential anti-trust concerns

Business · Communication source · Health care · Interpersonal ties · Political science · Public relations · Quality (philosophy · Social media · Social network (sociolinguistics · Strong ties · Computer Science · Healthcare Systems and Technology · Patient Satisfaction in Healthcare · Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare · Psychology · Social Psychology