The evaluation of the health services at public and private hospitals in Turkey between the years 2001 and 2006

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the regional comparison of the change in capacity and service delivery at public and private hospitals between the years 2001 to 2006.

 

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data provided by Statistical Almanacs of Inpatient Services (2001-2006) published by the Ministry of Health was used. The variables (number of facilities and hospital beds, outpatient admissions, inpatient admissions, number of deliveries and surgical operations) were calculated for two categories (public and private) for each city. The cities were then grouped into six regions according to an index developed by State Planning Organisation. The evaluation for regional inequalities was based on the comparison of Region-1 to Region-6.

 

Results: For all regions the number of facilities and hospital beds, outpatient and inpatient admissions, number of deliveries, number of surgical operations were significantly higher for public than private sector, in every year. The number of public hospital beds in Region-1 was 1.4-2.4 times higher than Region-6 among these years, while public hospital beds were most abundant at Region 3. Private hospital beds were the most abundant at Region-1. The number of private hospital beds in this Region was 17-75 times more than Region-6. For outpatient admissions, Region-1 to Region-6 ratio has changed between 1,2 to 1,6 within these years. This ratio was 6.4-33.2 for private hospitals with a decreasing trend. Among all the variables of capacity and service delivery, inequalities have survived throughout the years with deeper differences for private sector.    

 

Conclusion: The regional inequalities in inpatient service delivery have persisted in public and private sectors throughout the years 2001-2006. The reforms have not succeeded to contribute to an equalization of inpatient service delivery in different regions of Turkey.