Abstract
This study presents descriptive information on several dimensions of the internal organization of hospitals, with particular emphasis on medical staff, using data from two unique national surveys. Three alternative theories of hospital behavior by economists are described and evaluated with these data. The study also shows how standard bed size, teaching, and ownership categories relate to important features of hospital organization. In this way, understanding of these standard "control" variables is enhanced. For example, systematic organizational differences between proprietary and other hospitals are reported, holding bed size and teaching status constant. No single theory of hospital behavior emerges as dominant. The tables demonstrate the diversity of hospitals and the likelihood that no single model can adequately describe the behavior of all hospitals.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Cotler A. K. Judicial review of medical staff privileges in private hospitals. J Leg Med (N Y) 1977 Oct;5(10):40–45. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hollowell E. E. How can a doctor fight denial or deferral of staff privileges?. J Leg Med (N Y) 1977 Oct;5(10):33–37. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kaplin William A. Professional power and judicial review: the health professions. George Washington Law Rev. 1976 Aug;44(5):710–753. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kovner A. R. Hospital board members as policy-makers: role, priorities, and qualifications. Med Care. 1974 Dec;12(12):971–982. doi: 10.1097/00005650-197412000-00001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Physician-hospital conflict: the hospital staff privileges controversy in New York. Cornell Law Rev. 1975 Aug;60(6):1075–1104. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Roos N. P., Schermerhorn J. R., Roos L. L., Jr Hospital performance: analyzing power and goals. J Health Soc Behav. 1974 Jun;15(2):78–92. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Scott W. R. The hospital as a community facility. The medical staff and the hospital: an organizational perspective. Bull N Y Acad Med. 1972 Dec;48(11):1428–1434. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Starkweather D. B. Hospital size, complexity, and formalization. Health Serv Res. 1970 Winter;5(4):330–341. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]