An Evaluation of Healthcare Institutions' Efficiency in Türkiye Using the Pabon Lasso Model: An Institution-Type Based Analysis for the Period 2002–2023

This study aims to analyze the efficiency of Ministry of Health, university, and private hospitals in Türkiye between 2002 and 2023 using the Pabon Lasso Model. To evaluate hospital efficiency, the indicators of Bed Occupancy Rate (BOR), Bed Turnover Rate (BTR), and Average Length of Stay (ALOS) were utilized. Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health’s Health Statistics Yearbook (2023). The collected data were organized using Excel software, and the Pabon Lasso Graph was applied during the analysis process. Three different hospital types were assessed by dividing the period into phases within the framework of the Pabon Lasso Model. It was determined that the efficiency of Ministry of Health hospitals improved between 2007 and 2019 with the implementation of the Health Transformation Program, but performance declined during the 2020–2023 period due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. University hospitals were generally positioned in Region IV throughout the analysis period, characterized by high bed occupancy rates and low turnover rates. Private hospitals, on the other hand, demonstrated a stable efficiency profile within the boundaries of Region II after 2005, achieving rapid patient turnover through agreements with the Social Security Institution despite low bed occupancy rates. Hospital efficiency in Türkiye exhibits significant variation across hospital types. The Health Transformation Program substantially improved efficiency, particularly in Ministry of Health and private hospitals, while the COVID-19 pandemic led to temporary setbacks. These findings underscore the necessity for institution-specific strategic planning and the development of flexible and adaptive health policies.