Modeling Interregional Patient Mobility: Theory and Evidence from Spatially Explicit Data

Michael Irlacher, Dieter Pennerstorfer, Anna-Theresa Renner, Florian Unger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article provides theory and evidence on the spatial determinants of regional patient flows. We develop a theoretical model that explains a patient's choice to consult a general practitioner by a measure of spatial accessibility. We empirically test this gravity-type model using regional patient flows and detailed data on the spatial distribution of residents and physicians in Austria. Our measure of spatial accessibility is a crucial determinant of patient flows that substantially increases the explanatory power of regular gravity models. Counterfactual simulations show heterogeneous effects of exiting physicians on health-care accessibility and patient mobility.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1493-1532
Number of pages40
JournalInternational Economic Review
Volume64
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2023

Fields of science

  • 303010 Health economics
  • 502 Economics
  • 502002 Labour economics
  • 502009 Corporate finance
  • 502021 Microeconomics
  • 502042 Environmental economics
  • 502047 Economic theory
  • 504014 Gender studies
  • 507016 Regional economy
  • 405002 Agricultural economics
  • 502001 Labour market policy
  • 502003 Foreign trade
  • 502010 Public finance
  • 502012 Industrial management
  • 502013 Industrial economics
  • 502018 Macroeconomics
  • 502020 Market research
  • 502025 Econometrics
  • 502027 Political economy
  • 502039 Structural policy
  • 502046 Economic policy
  • 506004 European integration

JKU Focus areas

  • Sustainable Development: Responsible Technologies and Management

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