Substitution and Complementary Effects of Hospitalizations in Jamaica: an Analysis of Spanish Town and Kingston Public Hospitals

Abstract

Background and purpose: Despite significant medical and public health advances in Jamaica all too often health care planning lacks the flexibility to respond appropriately to the increased and varied demand of the population due to inadequate or inaccurate information. The accuracy of the information is pertinent to forward effective changes in the health care arena, which is instrumental in the coordination of care leading to cost reduction in health care management. This study sought to investigate: 1) Probabilities of hospitalization at two government hospitals in Jamaica; 2) Elasticities of hospitalization between two government hospitals in Jamaica; 3) Response-ability of patient-sharing between two government hospitals in Jamaica; and 4) The dual effect of patient-sharing in two government hospitals in Jamaica.