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Information signal and medical diagnosis: Audit study evidence from Georgia

Author

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  • Hartwig, Renate
  • Japaridze, Dimitri
  • Khetsuriani, Nana
  • Vollmer, Sebastian

Abstract

Evidence on how digital technologies, such as online health information platforms, affect the doctorpatient relationship in general, and the diagnosis and treatment of patients in particular, is still limited. In this study, we explore the effects of alternative information from an online source on the diagnosis and treatment behavior of doctors in Tbilisi, Georgia. We use data from standardized patient visits and assess quality of care on the basis of case management of diabetes type II - a disease which is on the rise in Georgia. We find that doctors do not respond to the information signal and that case management is unaffected by the information provided. This finding holds across a number of dimensions of clinical case management, including the number of symptoms checked, the number of clinical tests performed, the time spent with the patient and the costs charged for consultations and medical tests.

Suggested Citation

  • Hartwig, Renate & Japaridze, Dimitri & Khetsuriani, Nana & Vollmer, Sebastian, 2024. "Information signal and medical diagnosis: Audit study evidence from Georgia," Ruhr Economic Papers 1112, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:306842
    DOI: 10.4419/96973290
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health care; standardized patient; diabetes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H42 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Publicly Provided Private Goods
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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