Utilization of Surgical Manpower in a Prepaid Group Practice

23 Pages Posted: 13 Dec 2006 Last revised: 23 Jul 2022

Date Written: December 1973

Abstract

The median operative workload of seven general surgeons comprising the general surgical staff of a prepaid group practice of 158,000 enrollees was 9.9 hernia equivalents (HE) a week. The value was over three times that of a previously studied population of 19 general surgeons in fee-for-service community practice, and approximated a consensus standard of a full surgical workload. The median complexity of operations was 1.00 HE, similar to the community practice, and evidence suggested the most complex operation were handled by6 the surgeons with the most training. 23.6% of operations were performed on an ambulatory basis. The results suggest that the prepaid group practice under study possesses administrative mechanisms to efficiently utilize both general surgeons and the resources devoted to general surgery.

Suggested Citation

Handschin, Richard and Hughes, Edward F.X. and Lewit, Eugene M. and Watkins, Richard N., Utilization of Surgical Manpower in a Prepaid Group Practice (December 1973). NBER Working Paper No. w0019, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=259335

Richard Handschin

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Edward F.X. Hughes (Contact Author)

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.kellogg.nwu.edu/faculty/bio/hughes.htm

Eugene M. Lewit

Center for the Future of Children ( email )

300 Second Street, Suite 102
Los Altos, CA 94022
United States
(415) 948-3696 (Phone)
(415) 948-6498 (Fax)

Richard N. Watkins

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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