WEEK2

Question 1

How to control total costs?

Answer 1

Through restriction of the quantity of supply in combination with common restriction on price

Question 2

Positive aspects of waiting (time)

Answer 2

+ reduces need to use other rationing mechanisms
+ longer waiting induces lower demand
+ reduce the flow of referrals
+ can help to use available capacity optimally

Question 3

Negative aspects of waiting (time)

Answer 3

• loss of quality of life
• health state may worsen
• recovery time may increase
• higher medical costs
• dissatisfaction in society
• costs in other economic sectors
• cross-border care

Question 4

Balance waiting time

Answer 4

This waiting time is long enough to discourage demand, but short enough to limit negative aspects from waiting

Question 5

How to reduce waiting times?

Answer 5

Supply-side expansion: reducing budgetary/capacity constraints
Demand side reduction: less referrals, less demand
Process/regulations: improving utilization facilities, maximum waiting time guarantees

Question 6

Overconsumption, how?

Answer 6

Under full insurance, individual consumers do not experience costs of care.
Consuming beyond the point where benefit exceed costs: welfare losses

Question 7

Consumer moral hazard

Answer 7

• Ex ante: less prevention and more risk
• Ex post: demand more expensive care

Question 8

Asymmetric information

Answer 8

Normally economic theory requires a consumer to know what she wants and how a product will fulfill her needs and wants > in healthcare: consumers are often not that knowledgeable

Question 9

Defining basic benefits package

Answer 9

Limiting demand by selecting which treatments are covered in a national insurance scheme > means more care is left to own payment or private insurance or is unavailable

Question 10

Why is kidney transplantation the best treatment?

Answer 10

• Transplanted patients live longer
• Their QoL improves
• Cheaper than dialysis
• Pregnancy is possible

Question 11

Type of donors

Answer 11

1) DBD: while heart beats the organs are taken out
Cause of death: irreversible brain damage
2) DCD: treatment is stopped, so the person dies
Cause of death: stop of blood circulation

Question 12

Advantages of living donor transplantation

Answer 12

+ Solution for kidney shortage
+ Recipient in better condition
+ Short waiting time

Question 13

How to increase living donations?

Answer 13

• Promote live donation
• Break down barriers
• Resolve misconceptions
• Educate the public, patients and their loved ones
• Educate professionals