The future of health economics: The potential of behavioral and experimental economics

Health care systems around the globe are facing great challenges. The demand for health care is increasing due to the continuous development of new medical technologies, changing demographics, increasing income levels, and greater expectations from patients. The possibilities and willingness to exp...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fredrik Hansen, Anders Anell, Ulf-G Gerdtham, Carl Hampus Lyttkens
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Oslo 2015-05-01
Series:Nordic Journal of Health Economics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.uio.no/NJHE/article/view/660
Description
Summary:Health care systems around the globe are facing great challenges. The demand for health care is increasing due to the continuous development of new medical technologies, changing demographics, increasing income levels, and greater expectations from patients. The possibilities and willingness to expand health care resources, however, are limited. Consequently, health care organizations are increasingly required to take economic restrictions into account, and there is an urgent need for improved efficiency. It is reasonable to ask whether the health economics field of today is prepared and equipped to help us meet these challenges. Our aim with this article is twofold: to introduce the fields of behavioral and experimental economics and to then identify and characterize health economics areas where these two fields have a promising potential. We also discuss the advantages of a pluralistic view in health economics research, and we anticipate a dynamic future for health economics. Published: Online May 2015. In print December 2015.
ISSN:1892-9729
1892-9710