Physicians' role in Kuwait’s health care supply management

Abstract EN

Aim of the paper : The physician’s role in medical supplies selection in the healthcare context, driven primarily by clinical expertise, directly impacts hospital cost performance and efficiency.

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the perceived importance and attention that physicians give to the costs of medical supplies in a public healthcare system.

Study Design : physicians working in Kuwait’s public health sector were asked to estimate the cost of 18 common pharmaceutical products and medical devices.

A regression model identified factors associated with a higher rate of accurate estimates provided.

Sample and Data :a sample of 104 physicians working in Kuwait’s public health sector responded to the survey.

The sample represented a wide range of experience levels, work locations, and clinical specialties.

Results : physicians showed limited awareness regarding the costs of medical supplies.

On average, physicians accurately estimated only 22 percent of pharmaceutical products and 14 percent of medical devices.

Most physicians indicated having limited accessibility to pricing information for the products they prescribe even though they perceived cost to be an essential criterion in the selection of clinically equivalent products.

Conclusion : education about supply management and cost containment may hold value for both physicians and the healthcare system.

Hospital adminis-trators should consider increasing accessibility to cost information and involving physician leaders in procurement to improve hospital cost efficiency.