Working Paper: NBER ID: w22666
Authors: Erin Johnson; M. Marit Rehavi; David C. Chan Jr.; Daniela Carusi
Abstract: We provide novel estimates of the causal impact of physician-patient relationships on physicians’ decisions. Exploiting quasi-random assignment of patients to OBs at childbirth, we find OBs are 25% likelier to perform C-sections when delivering patients they have a preexisting clinical relationship with (their “own patients”). This effect is increasing in the relationship’s strength. OBs also curtail labor sooner, are less likely to employ other invasive procedures (e.g., vacuum or forceps), and avoid complications of long and difficult births for their own patients.
Keywords: physician-patient relationships; clinical decisions; cesarean sections; hospitalist care; obstetrics
JEL Codes: I11; J44
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| strength of physician-patient relationship (I11) | likelihood of c-section (J19) |
| preexisting relationship (L14) | likelihood of c-section (J19) |
| strength of physician-patient relationship (I11) | curtail labor sooner (J26) |
| own patients (I11) | fewer complications associated with long or difficult labors (J89) |
| own patients (I11) | preference for safer treatment options (D91) |