Abstract

The ongoing demographic and technological trends, as well as the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, have highlighted the need for a more and more efficient management of public healthcare systems. Literature has recognised a central role for socio-economic, institutional and organisational determinants in shaping the patterns of healthcare efficiency. Based on these premises, by applying a Stochastic Frontier Analysis to the 20 Italian Regions between 2001 and 2018, this research aims at studying the main determinants of Italian national healthcare system efficiency. Results show that inputs endowment (human, fixed and financial capital) is fundamental in the definition of healthcare outcomes, in spite of a marginal role of technological inputs. Moreover, a central role for sociodemographic and policy variables emerges. In particular, the instrument of financial recovery plan is related to a significant increase of inefficiency in the healthcare sector