Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare Systems: The Role of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in Their Evaluation

Introduction: In contemporary times, healthcare systems require a shift towards innovative approaches considering existing complexities and the challenges they face. Public health services must adapt to changing requirements to enhance their performance and ensure their sustainability. Effective management and performance improvement for the advancement of healthcare systems can only be achieved through the simultaneous strengthening of both effectiveness and efficiency. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), as a powerful tool, represents a significant branch of Operation Research (OR) and provides transformative solutions and critical data for healthcare policymakers. Objective: This study aims to inform the managers and officials of the country's health system with the benefits of DEA and motivating them to use this mathematical evaluation method to check and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of various health and treatment units. Method: In this narrative review study, a search was conducted in MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Science direct, Scopus and SID databases. At first 76 articles were obtained, then according to the review criteria, 31 articles with full text were selected and studied completely. Results: As the landscape of health system becomes more complex, the need for practical and useful solutions to organize the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of treatment in this critical period is strongly felt. Data envelopment analysis serves as a valuable tool for evaluating the efficiency of various healthcare institutions, such as hospitals, health and wellbeing centers, and even educational and research organizations. By gathering the necessary data and taking into account the specific issues that managers encounter, it is possible to develop a model that assesses the performance of the unit either quantitatively or qualitatively. This assessment may encompass factors such as personnel numbers, salary levels, motivational aspects and the position of individuals based on their expertise, as well as the type and location of equipment to ensure optimal utilization, thereby enhancing the profitability and self-sufficiency of healthcare centers. While DEA promotes a culture of sustainable improvement, it is essential to give special attention to the limitations and challenges associated with it. Conclusion: DEA can assist in identifying and analyzing the efficiency of healthcare units (such as hospitals, clinics, and health centers). Some successful applications of DEA in healthcare settings include determining efficiency, optimizing resources, measuring service quality, comparing units’ performance, identifying needs and guiding the managers to adopt the right decisions.