While there is much current interest in learning in the health care cost control literature, I have not found any references of it leading to contracts involving learning curve pricing similar to products with high front-end costs and technological uncertainty in defense contracting and electronics manufacture.
Ahhh, as you know, some economists will argue that health care does not follow economic models of other industries because of one major feature: "lack of perfect information". I have seen comparisons between industries on other markers, but not on cost. Mostly because of a complete lack of information - and transparency.
That said, I'll do some searching among my health economist friends to see if they know of any studies. Stay tuned...
Ariel
Curt. If there is one, I've missed it over the last few decades. Maybe its cyclical, like Mircea Eliade's myth of the eternal return.
The learning curve effect is implied in the known relationships between volume and successful outcomes for procedures. Is also partly reflected in economy of scale effect on costs in the NHS HRG tariff.
Rodney, this is the underlying theory. Curtis asked for published studies showing it in real life.
This is mostly economy of scale stuff but same principle:
http://www.hcaf.biz/Recent/Costing_A&E_attendances.pdf
However have never come across any learning curve studies, maybe someone has dones some studies on time taken to conduct procedures for doctors in training?
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