AEA Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
Time Dependency in Physician Decision-Making
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 110,
May 2020
(pp. 284–88)
Abstract
Using data on more than 250,000 emergency department (ED) visits, we study the time-of-day effect on physician decision-making and patient outcomes. After controlling for patient characteristics, physician fixed effects, and work hours, we find that cases treated at night have significantly lower probability of inpatient admission and involve fewer medical tests. These cases are also more likely to revisit the ED, which supports the decline in physician performance. While we cannot completely rule out the possibility of limited hospital arrangements, our findings are most consistent with the detrimental effect of disrupted circadian rhythms during night shifts.Citation
Jin, Lawrence, Rui Tang, Han Ye, Junjian Yi, and Songfa Zhong. 2020. "Time Dependency in Physician Decision-Making." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 110: 284–88. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20201033Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I11 Analysis of Health Care Markets
- J22 Time Allocation and Labor Supply
- J44 Professional Labor Markets; Occupational Licensing