Relative Efficiency of Radiation Treatment Centers: An Application of Data Envelopment Analysis

Abstract

This study determines the relative efficiencies of a number of cancer treatment centers in Ontario, taking into account the differences among them so that their performances can be compared against the provincial targets. These differences can be in physical and financial resources, and patient demographics. An analytical framework is developed based on a three-step data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to build efficiency metrics for planning, delivery, and quality of treatment at each center. Regression analysis is used to explain the efficiency metrics and demonstrates how these findings can inform continuous improvement efforts.

Keywords

• cancer care
• data envelopment analysis
• relative efficiency
• radiation treatment
• continuous improvement