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Does telemedicine affect prescribing quality in primary care?

Author

Listed:
  • Susan J. Méndez

    (Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research, The University of Melbourne)

  • Daniel Avdic

    (Deakin University)

  • Johannes S. Kunz

    (Centre for Health Economics, Monash University)

  • Maria Wiśniewska

    (Centre for Health Economics, Monash University)

Abstract

We study how the diffusion of telemedicine technology impacted the quality and rates of antibiotic prescriptions using Australian survey data from primary care physicians linked to administrative records on their service provision. We classify physicians based on their relative use of telemedicine consultations in response to the introduction of government-subsidised telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and relate their rates of antibiotic prescriptions to indicators of prescribing quality before and after lockdown periods in a difference-indifferences design. Our results suggest that more frequent users of telemedicine prescribe relatively fewer antibiotics while keeping prescribing quality largely unchanged. We interpret these findings as evidence that telemedicine can enhance efficiency of service provision in primary care settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Susan J. Méndez & Daniel Avdic & Johannes S. Kunz & Maria Wiśniewska, 2024. "Does telemedicine affect prescribing quality in primary care?," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2024n09, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    • Handle: RePEc:iae:iaewps:wp2024n09
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    File URL: https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/4968677/wp2024n09.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Matthew Berman & Andrea Fenaughty, 2005. "Technology and managed care: patient benefits of telemedicine in a rural health care network," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 14(6), pages 559-573, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    telemedicine; practice style; quality of care; antibiotics; difference-indifferences; technology diffusion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H44 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Publicly Provided Goods: Mixed Markets
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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