Is the Colombian health system reform improving the performance of public hospitals in Bogotá?

From:: Department for International Development
Published: 1 January 2003

Country:: Colombia
Document Type:: Journal Issue
Theme:: Health
Authors:: McPake, B., Lake, S., Yepes, F., Sanchez, L.H.

Abstract

This paper reports from a research project which compiled and tracked hospital performance indicators relating to productivity, quality of care and patient satisfaction between 1996 and 1998; compiled further indicators from data dating from 1991; and conducted interviews with hospital staff concerning their attitudes to the changing environment, in 5 public hospitals in Bogota. Results suggest that there has been change in productivity indicators such as outpatient visits per hospital doctor and bed occupancy (supported by ARIMA analysis), and that this is not accompanied by evidence of quality deterioration from either a technical or patient satisfaction standpoint. Staff report that fear, anxiety and resistance were common initial reactions to reform but that many now believe the reforms have improved hospital performance, especially in relation to patient responsiveness. However concerns that ‘marketisation’ has led to a substitution of financial for ethical values remain widespread.

Citation

McPake, B.; Yepes, F.; Lake, S.; Sanchez, L.H. Is the Colombian health system reform improving the performance of public hospitals in Bogota? Health Policy and Planning (2001) 18 (2) 182-194. [DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czg023]