Provider incentives and productive efficiency in government health services : phase 1 -- review of concepts, literature, and preliminary field work design

In addition to providing a basic conceptual framework of the issues, the authors present empirical anecdotal evidence from developed and developing countries to assess the potential for provider incentives to improve the efficiency (as well as equity and quality) of health care in developing countries. The discussion includes monetary, non-monetary, physician, and hospital incentives. Finally, the authors consider both the methodological problems and prospective field work activities necessary for completion of Phase II (field work) and Phase III (analysis) of the applied research project. (Author abstract)