Performance Efficiency of Public Health Sector Using Intuitionistic Fuzzy DEA

Author(s):  
Alka Arya ◽  
Shiv Prasad Yadav

Out of several generalizations of fuzzy set theory for various objectives, the notions of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) is very useful in modeling real life problems. In existing fuzzy data envelopment analysis (FDEA) models, the inputs and outputs are limited to fuzzy input and fuzzy output data. In real life problems, the input data and output data can be considered as linguistic/vague characterized by intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs). So, in the present study, we extend FDEA to intuitionistic FDEA (IFDEA) in which the input and output data are taken as IFNs, in particular triangular IFNs (TIFNs). In this study, we develop models to measure the efficiencies of each DMU in intuitionistic fuzzy environment using α and β-cuts and we get IF interval efficiencies. The ranking of FNs has been studied by many authors and extended to IFNs because of its applicability in real life problems. The ranking of IF interval efficiency plays an important role in DEA where the interval analysis is essential. Further, in this paper a new method for ranking IF interval efficiencies has been proposed and compared with other existing methods. A new general minimax approach is proposed to compare and rank the IF efficiency intervals of DMUs. One numerical example is provided to show the applications of the proposed IFDEA model and the proposed ranking approach. Moreover, we present an application of the proposed approach to the public health sector.

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeet Singh

The concept of assurance region (AR) was proposed in Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) literature to restrict the ratio of any two weights within a given lower and upper bounds so as to overcome the difficulty of ignoring or relying too much on any of the input or output while calculating the efficiency. Further, AR approach was extended to handle fuzzy input/output data. But, available information is not always sufficient to define the impreciseness in the input/output data using classical fuzzy sets. Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set (IFS) is a generalized fuzzy set to characterize the impreciseness by taking into account degree of hesitation also. In this paper, intuitionistic fuzzy DEA/AR approach has been proposed to evaluate the efficiency where input/output data are represented as intuitionistic fuzzy. Based on the expected value approach, classical cross efficiency has also been generalized to rank the DMUs for the case of intuitionistic fuzzy data. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first attempt to propose assurance region approach (DEA/AR) in DEA with intuitionistic fuzzy input/output data. This approach is useful for the experts and decision makers when they are hesitant about defining the degree of membership/non-membership of fuzzy data. Results have been illustrated and validated using a case of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS).


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Mohammed Mustapha Namadi

Corruption is pervasive in Nigeria at all levels. Thus, despite recent gains in healthcare provision, the health sector faces numerous corruption related challenges. This study aims at examining areas of corruption in the health sector with specific focus on its types and nature. A sample size of 480 respondents aged 18 years and above was drawn from the eight Metropolitan Local Government Areas of Kano State, using the multistage sampling technique. The results revealed evidence of corrupt practices including those related to unnecessary-absenteeism, diversion of patients from the public health facilities to the private sector, diverting money meant for the purchase of equipment, fuel and diesel, bribery, stealing of medications, fraud, misappropriation of medications and unjustifiable reimbursement claims. In order to resolve the problem of corrupt practices in the healthcare sector, the study recommended the need for enforcement of appropriate code of ethics guiding the conduct of the health professionals, adoption of anti-corruption strategies, and strengthening the government monitoring system to check corruption in public health sector in order to ensure equitable access to healthcare services among the under-privileged people in the society.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phumzile Hlongwa ◽  
Laetitia C. Rispel

Abstract Background Collaboration among different categories of health professionals is essential for quality patient care, especially for individuals with cleft lip and palate (CLP). This study examined interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among health professionals in all CLP specialised centres in South Africa’s public health sector. Methods During 2017, a survey was conducted among health professionals at all the specialised CLP centres in South Africa’s public health sector. Following informed consent, each member of the CLP team completed a self-administered questionnaire on IPC, using the Interprofessional Competency Framework Self-Assessment Tool. The IPC questionnaire consists of seven domains with 51 items: care expertise (8 items); shared power (4 items); collaborative leadership (10 items); shared decision-making (2 items); optimising professional role and scope (10 items); effective group function (9 items); and competent communication (8 items). STATA®13 was used to analyse the data. Descriptive analysis of participants and overall mean scores were computed for each domain and analysed using ANOVA. All statistical tests were conducted at 5% significance level. Results We obtained an 87% response rate, and 52 participants completed the questionnaire. The majority of participants were female 52% (n = 27); with a mean age of 41.9 years (range 22–72). Plastic surgeons accounted for 38.5% of all study participants, followed by speech therapists (23.1%), and professional nurses (9.6%). The lowest mean score of 2.55 was obtained for effective group function (SD + -0.50), and the highest mean score of 2.92 for care expertise (SD + -0.37). Explanatory factor analysis showed that gender did not influence IPC, but category of health professional predicted scores on the five categories of shared power (p = 0.01), collaborative leadership (p = 0.04), optimising professional role and scope (p = 0.03), effective group function (p = 0.01) and effective communication (p = 0.04). Conclusion The seven IPC categories could be used as a guide to develop specific strategies to enhance IPC among CLP teams. Institutional support and leadership combined with patient-centred, continuing professional development in multi-disciplinary meetings will also enrich IPC.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e039242
Author(s):  
Pragashnie Govender

IntroductionEarly childhood is a critical time when the benefits of early interventions are intensified, and the adverse effects of risk can be reduced. For the optimal provision of early intervention, professionals in the field are required to have specialised knowledge and skills in implementing these programmes. In the context of South Africa, there is evidence to suggest that therapists are ill-prepared to handle the unique challenges posed in neonatal intensive care units and wards with at-risk infants in the first few weeks of life. This is attributed to several reasons; however, irrespective of the causative factors, the need to bridge this knowledge-to-practice gap remains essential.Methods and analysisThis study is a multimethod stakeholder-driven study using a scoping review followed by an appreciative inquiry and Delphi process that will aid in the development, implementation and evaluation of a knowledge translation intervention to bridge knowledge-gaps in occupational and physiotherapists working in the field. Therapists currently working in the public health sector will be recruited for participation in the various stages of the study. The analysis will occur via thematic analysis for qualitative data and percentages and frequencies for descriptive quantitative data. Issues around trustworthiness and rigour, and reliability and validity, will be ensured within each of the phases, by use of a content validity index and inter-rater reliability for the Delphi survey; thick descriptions, peer debriefing, member checking and an audit trail for the qualitative data.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received full ethical approval from the Health Research and Knowledge Management Directorate of the Department of Health and a Biomedical Research Ethics Committee. The results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and disseminated to the relevant stakeholders within this study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Khurana ◽  
S Roy ◽  
M Gupta

Abstract Problem Human resources in the public health sector is of prime importance in a limited resource setting country, who at times work in a high-pressure, limited resource environment and where skilled staff continue to remain in short supply. The role of Human Resource for Health (HRH) team responsible for managing this health workforce is crucial. They play an important role in improving the human resource practices and creating an enabling organizational culture for optimal resource utilization. The paper explores the profile of the HRH teams of the states of India, their knowledge levels, and perceptions of their role. Methods The participants were HR Managers from 29 states of India who look after HRH in National Health Mission and State Health Departments. Cross-sectional survey tool was used for data collection. Quantitative data analysis included univariate and bivariate analysis. One Way ANOVA test of significance and post-hoc tests using Tukey's method was used to ascertain the groups with significant difference. Results Most of the HRH team members are postgraduates or have management background. Their experience varies from <1year to > 25 years. Mostly of them perceive their role to be limited to implementing bare essential HRM practices, mostly administrative. The educational qualification of the members did not have any significant bearing on their technical knowledge related to HRM practices; but their experience in public health sector showed a significant association. Lessons This study lends evidence to the principle that professionals who have been in the system for long, know about HRH and the associated policies better, and hence may be better equipped to handle HRH and establish good HR Management (HRM) systems. Better role clarity among the HRH teams, expansion of their current scope of work to include advanced practices of HRM and continuous capacity building mechanisms are needed to help strengthen the development and management of HRH. Key messages This study, a first of its kind in the country, lend evidence related to the principle for deciding the profile of team who should be entrusted with managing and development of HRH. The Study gives evidence to focus on the role clarity of HRH to zero down their knowledge and skills gaps and enhance their competencies through better capacity building.


Author(s):  
Firoz Ahmad

AbstractThis study presents the modeling of the multiobjective optimization problem in an intuitionistic fuzzy environment. The uncertain parameters are depicted as intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, and the crisp version is obtained using the ranking function method. Also, we have developed a novel interactive neutrosophic programming approach to solve multiobjective optimization problems. The proposed method involves neutral thoughts while making decisions. Furthermore, various sorts of membership functions are also depicted for the marginal evaluation of each objective simultaneously. The different numerical examples are presented to show the performances of the proposed solution approach. A case study of the cloud computing pricing problem is also addressed to reveal the real-life applications. The practical implication of the current study is also discussed efficiently. Finally, conclusions and future research scope are suggested based on the proposed work.


Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (13) ◽  
pp. 1456
Author(s):  
Stefka Fidanova ◽  
Krassimir Todorov Atanassov

Some of industrial and real life problems are difficult to be solved by traditional methods, because they need exponential number of calculations. As an example, we can mention decision-making problems. They can be defined as optimization problems. Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is between the best methods, that solves combinatorial optimization problems. The method mimics behavior of the ants in the nature, when they look for a food. One of the algorithm parameters is called pheromone, and it is updated every iteration according quality of the achieved solutions. The intuitionistic fuzzy (propositional) logic was introduced as an extension of Zadeh’s fuzzy logic. In it, each proposition is estimated by two values: degree of validity and degree of non-validity. In this paper, we propose two variants of intuitionistic fuzzy pheromone updating. We apply our ideas on Multiple-Constraint Knapsack Problem (MKP) and compare achieved results with traditional ACO.


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