Last update:
31-Jul-2022

In recent years, the methods of remuneration of physicians have been the subject of increasing interest, as efforts are made to achieve an ideal payment policy, which would lead to increases in the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of health services. Methods of compensation for physicians include fixed compensation, per capita compensation, de facto compensation, or a combination of the above methods. In an attempt to address the disadvantages of the various methods of physician compensation, many governments focus on compensating health care providers through performance-based incentives. In Greece, currently no compensation system is based on performance, but such a system could be applied, based on the methods already used. This article presents the methods of compensation of doctors who are active in the primary health care sector, along with their disadvantages and advantages. Reference is made to policies implemented in various other developed countries to provide incentives for physicians to perform more effectively. An attempt is made to formulate a policy proposal, based on the current literature, for the implementation of incentives based on the performance of physicians active in the primary health care sector in Greece.

Key words: Financial incentives, Performance based financing, Performance measurement and evaluation, Primary health care, Supplier compensation methods.