Das Gesundheitswesen in Österreich: Neue Trends und neue Fakten

Abstract: Between 1986 and 1994 employment in the health sector in Austria has grown abundantly faster than in the whole economy and also faster than in the service sector. The health sector is an important labour market for women and as a growth sector it remains to supply fair employment opportunities for women. In 1994 the proportion of women working in the health field was about fourfold compared to the sex ratio in the service sector and more than fivefold compared to total employment. Compared to 11 highly developed OECD-countries Austria's per capita income in 1994 happened to be upon the highest. In contrasting the performance of the Austrian health system it can be shown that the GDP-share of health expenditures is less than average. Furthermore, taking outcome into account, premature death - measured in the potential years life lost - is been lowest in Austria . Hence, the aggregate performance of the Austrian health system is comparativly very good. In addition, the steady decrease of the average length of stay accompained by increasing admission rates and turnover rates indicates productivity improvements in the hospital sector. Moreover, to abate premature death is a decisive productivity gain, consistent with qualityimprovements.;