The impact of contracting out on health outcomes and use of health services in low and middle‐income countries
Abstract
Background
Recent literature on the lack of efficiency and acceptability of publicly provided health services has led to an interest in the use of partnerships with the private sector to deliver public services.
Objectives
To assess the effectiveness of contracting out healthcare services in improving access to care in low and middle‐income countries and, where possible, health outcomes.
Search methods
We searched a wide range of international databases, including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE, in addition to development studies and economic databases. We also searched the websites and online resources of numerous international agencies, organisations and universities to find relevant grey literature. The original searches were conducted between November 2005 and April 2006. An updated search in MEDLINE was carried out in May 2009.
Selection criteria
Contracting out health services is defined as the provision of healthcare services on behalf of the government by non‐state providers. Studies had to include an objective measure of at least one of the following outcomes: health care utilisation, health expenditure, health outcomes or equity outcomes. Studies also needed to use one of the following study designs: randomised controlled trial, non‐randomised controlled trial, interrupted time series analysis or controlled before and after study.
Data collection and analysis
We made an attempt to present results from the different studies in a systematic way, however due to the diversity of sources, contexts and methods used, we undertook a narrative synthesis.
Main results
Three studies met our inclusion criteria (one after re‐analysis of data). These studies suggest that contracting out services to non‐state providers can increase access and utilisation of health services. One study found a reduction in out‐of‐pocket expenditures and improvement in some health outcomes. However, methodological weaknesses and particularities of the reported programme settings limit the strength and generalisability of their conclusions.
Authors' conclusions
Three studies suggest that contracting out may be an appropriate response to scale up service delivery in particular settings, such as post‐conflict or fragile states. Evidence was not presented on whether this approach was more effective than making a similar investment in the public sector, as there was not an exact control available in any of the settings. In addition, the introduction of non‐state providers into some settings and not others also brings many potentially confounding variables, such as the presence of additional management expertise or expatriate doctors, which may improve drug supply or increase utilisation.
PICO
Plain language summary
The impact of contracting out on health outcomes and use of health services in low and middle‐income countries
We present results from three studies on the effectiveness of contracting out services to non‐state providers. All studies had methodological limitations. The existing evidence suggests that contracting out services may increase access and utilization of health services in under‐served areas for poorer population groups but the evidence base is weak. In addition it is not clear what particular action(s) implemented by the NGOs may lead to this effect.
