Resumen

FONSECA RODRIGUEZ, Gumersindo  y  VALENZUELA RODRIGUEZ, Carlos. Need of the economic efficiency in health. MEDISAN [online]. 2013, vol.17, n.7, pp.2068-2074. ISSN 1029-3019.

In any society regardless of its development level, resources are always insufficient regarding the potential demands of its individuals; that is why the dilemma of its alternative use is presented, with which it will always be necessary to give up certain options. With the present work the necessity of the economic efficiency is demonstrated in the health sector, and some general ideas on how to contribute to a higher efficiency in health are offered. Health, as part of the general welfare, demands an increasing amount of economic resources, due to the different transitions that are taking place. Moreover, the relative scarcity of resources in relation to personal demands, imposes the need for its efficient use, in order to achieve a higher social benefit.

Palabras clave : scarcity of resources; opportunity cost; efficacy; effectiveness; economic evaluation; costs minimization; cost-effectiveness; cost-benefit and cost-utility.

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