Stacey Chen, University of Tokyo

Title: Physicians Treating Physicians: The Relational and Informational Advantages in Treatment and Survival

Abstract: Using cancer registry and doctor certificate records, we address unobserved physician quality issues by matching comparable patients with advanced cancer by doctor, hospital, and admission period. Estimates show that physician-patients are less likely to use surgery or radiation, more likely to use targeted drug therapy, spend less on checkups, and enjoy higher long-term survival while paying less on coinsurance than nonphysician-patients. Restricting data to less informed physician-patients, we find that those with stronger professional ties receive less surgical/radiation therapy and have higher survival, though only for 0.5 years. We show that relational and informational advantages appear in healthcare agency problems.

Presenter: Stacey Chen, University of Tokyo

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