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2024ECO004
Doctoral thesis

Three essays on health systems response to epidemiologic crises and trends

  • 2024

PhD: Università della Svizzera italiana

Health economics
COVID-19 pandemic
Frailty
Integrated care
Care coordination
Healthcare utilization
Gatekeeping
Health insurance schemes
Elderly population
English This dissertation explores the intersection of health economics and public health in the context of health crises and dynamic demographic shifts, focusing on the resilience and adaptability of healthcare systems. The first essay critically examines the response of Ticino's hospital system to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through qualitative analysis based on semi-structured interviews with key managers, the study provides insights into crisis management strategies at the cantonal level, highlighting the challenges and successes in maintaining essential services during the pandemic. The second essay shifts focus to the concept of frailty and its impact on healthcare utilization among elderly Europeans. Employing a quantitative econometric approach, this study draws on data from the SHARE dataset to analyze the physical, social, and psychological dimensions of frailty. The research underscores the significance of a comprehensive understanding of frailty in predicting healthcare needs, contributing to policy recommendations aimed at improving the sustainability of healthcare systems. The third essay investigates Switzerland's alternative health insurance schemes, particularly those incorporating gatekeeping principles, and their effects on healthcare service utilization among the elderly frail population. Using data from the Swiss Health Survey, this quantitative study offers policy insights on the adoption of gatekeeping mechanisms to enhance care coordination for complex patients. Collectively, these essays contribute to a deeper understanding of how healthcare systems can adapt to the evolving demands of public health.
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Language
  • English
Classification
Economics
License
License undefined
Open access status
green
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https://n2t.net/ark:/12658/srd1329249
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